The Board has determined that the March 2012 VA examination for leucopenia is inadequate due to an inaccurate premise of a lack of in-service exposure to toxins. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current leucopenia may be etiologically related to his in-service herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the March 2012 VA examiner's opinion was based on an inaccurate premise of lack of in-service exposure to toxins, which is a result of the Veteran's service in Vietnam and presumed exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- leucopenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 19, 2015
- Citation
- 1507374
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 1507374.
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 service connection for leucopenia and leukemia, finding no evidence of current disability or a link to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with its previous directives, including verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to toxic chemicals while serving at Fort Sill in 1975. The claim will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) must be issued.
- Denied
The Veteran's myelodysplasia was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure and ionizing radiation exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for leucopenia and a left shoulder disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.
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.