The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and remanded a compensable rating claim due to missing pulmonary function test results.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of continuous pursuit of claims, no new and material evidence, and the statutory framework regarding effective dates.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Depressive disorder with somatic symptom disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023299
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the current condition is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for service-connected conditions, as well as the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, due to the Veteran's death and the fact that no unadjudicated issues were pending at the time of his passing.
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