The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol has been denied as hyperlipidemia is not a ratable disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and high blood pressure are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering his lay statements regarding exposure to toxic substances during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck disability is also remanded as it requires an examination addressing his lay statements about lifting heavy equipment in service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that hyperlipidemia, which the Veteran has, does not constitute a ratable disability and therefore cannot be granted service connection.,The claims for diabetes and high blood pressure are remanded because there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection without considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding exposure to toxic substances during service.,The claim for neck disability requires an examination as it involves a lay statement about lifting heavy equipment in service.
- Claimed conditions
- High Cholesterol, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Neck Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2024
- Citation
- A24074711
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,170 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24074711.
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 Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC in excess of SMC(n) based on his service-connected conditions and additional disabilities, as well as his need for aid and attendance. The appeal was dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU, SMC on housebound basis, and DEA benefits are granted effective October 16, 2019. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected right lung lobectomy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to obtain examination reports and determine if the service-connected conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.