The Board has identified several pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the claims for hypothyroidism, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TDIU, SMC, and DEA. The issues of increased ratings for lower extremity neuropathies are being addressed in conjunction with the hypothyroidism claim.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations provided were inconsistent and contradictory, failing to address the Veteran's symptoms as they relate to his thyroid condition and lower extremity neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypothyroidism, Left Lower Extremity Sciatic Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Sciatic Peripheral Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity Femoral Peripheral Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity Femoral Peripheral Neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2024
- Citation
- A24059481
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A24059481.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and various peripheral neuropathies have been granted increased ratings. Effective August 16, 2023, the Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU rating and DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), aortic valve regurgitation, and hypothyroidism as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or chronic symptoms.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Hypothyroidism, and Hypertension. The decision is based on direct evidence of these conditions during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for right shin splints due to inadequate examination and failure to address increased symptomatology during flare-ups. The Veteran's service connection for hypothyroidism was granted in full, leaving only her right shin splint issue on appeal.
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