The Board has granted service connection for breast cancer and rectal cancer, both related to exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran's digestive disorder is presumed to be secondary to his treatment for cancer, while his peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities may also be related to his cancer treatment or diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The Board has determined that the Veteran's breast and rectal cancers are more likely than not related to exposure to herbicides during service. The digestive disorder is presumed secondary to cancer, while the peripheral neuropathy could be related to either cancer treatment or diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Breast Cancer, Rectal Cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2016
- Citation
- 1600409
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1600409.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and for an examination, as well as for opinions on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his diagnosed breast cancer.
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