The Board remands the claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus type 2, as due to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) including claimed herbicide agent exposure, for additional development.
The deciding factor: The May 2024 VA opinion was found inadequate and the AOJ erred in its duty to assist prior to the decision. Therefore, remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion and verify the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- Diabetes mellitus type 2
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2025
- Citation
- A25038918
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy, to further investigate potential exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Korea.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, a heart condition as secondary to hypertension, and lower extremity vascular disability as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The claims for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities and amputation of toes were also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. However, the claims for a neck condition, COPD, gall bladder removal, and chronic kidney disease were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for the cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, as the VA examinations are inadequate.
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