The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a medical professional.
The deciding factor: An addendum opinion is needed to consider recent studies linking contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune with gastrointestinal cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- gastrointestinal cancer
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2016
- Citation
- 1609169
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 1609169.
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
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, gastrointestinal cancer, hypertension, and prostate cancer to correct a duty to assist error related to verifying herbicide agent exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal cancer is related to his military service, including asbestos exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new VA medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal cancer, considering toxic exposure risk activity.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for gastrointestinal cancer secondary to GERD. The Veteran's service-connected GERD was found to be the cause of the gastrointestinal cancer.
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.