The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy was aggravated during his period of active duty training in August 2016.
The deciding factor: The initial opinion did not account for the absence of symptoms prior to service and the subsequent negative assessments after service. The second opinion found no aggravation, but also noted inconsistencies with the Veteran's account and lack of supporting medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26034465
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 A26034465.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, and secondary to exposure. The earliest possible effective date is August 10, 2022.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus type II, and the various types of diabetic peripheral neuropathy as well as Parkinsonism due to a lack of credible in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins. The Veteran's assertions were found noncredible.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's request for higher-level review of effective dates being improperly denied by VA.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 27, 2022 for the grant of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities.
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.