Citation Nr: 20056423
Decision Date: 08/26/20	Archive Date: 08/26/20

DOCKET NO. 15-23 166A
DATE: August 26, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy, is remanded.

Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from July 1968 to December 1975. 

These matters come to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from April 2012 and September 2013 rating decisions issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office in Phoenix, Arizona.

This case was most recently before the Board in July 2020, when it was remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.  The case was previously before the Board in May 2019.  

1. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. 

2. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.  

It appears that the issues on appeal were prematurely returned to the Board's docket.  The AOJ has not yet completed action on the directives in the July 2020 remand, to include obtaining new examinations.  As such, the case must be returned to the AOJ.

These matters are REMANDED for the following action:

After completing action on the directives contained in the Board’s July 2020 remand, and any other development as may be indicated, the issues on appeal should be readjudicated based on the entirety of the evidence.  If any benefit sought remains denied, the Veteran should be issued a supplemental statement of the case.  An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response.

 

 

DAVID A. BRENNINGMEYER

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. Smith, Associate Counsel

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.