The Veteran's claim for service connection for papillary cell renal cell carcinoma, including as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an etiological opinion.
The deciding factor: The new evidence submitted by the Veteran suggests a possible link between herbicide exposure and kidney cancer, triggering VA's duty to provide a VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- papillary cell renal cell carcinoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1502637
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 1502637.
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 Veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia is presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if it is directly linked.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's leukemia disability is related to service, including toxic exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for an addendum etiology opinion to determine if the Veteran's chronic myelogenous leukemia was incurred in or caused by military service, including conceded exposure to herbicide agents during service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in Southwest Asia.
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