The Veteran died of pancytopenia due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is not a disease subject to presumptive service connection. However, the death certificate was incorrect and the cause was actually non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The claim will be remanded for further review including obtaining complete personnel records and verifying Vietnam service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's death certificate incorrectly stated that he died of pancytopenia due to acute myelogenous leukemia, which is not a disease subject to presumptive service connection under the herbicide exposure provisions. The actual cause was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, for which there is no presumption.
- Claimed conditions
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Pancytopenia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2010
- Citation
- 1008541
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1008541.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, effective March 2, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and neck pain, finding no current disability. The claim for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is remanded due to inadequate consideration of all potential exposures.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also remanded due to a lack of development of the Veteran's therapist's records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was granted with an effective date of March 13, 2024. This decision is based on the PACT Act becoming effective and the Veteran's symptoms being consistent with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma since April 14, 2022.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that the claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty and therefore the earliest possible effective date is October 15, 2020.
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