The Board has determined that a new VA opinion is necessary to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is etiologically related to active service, including exposure to herbicide agents, on a direct basis. Additionally, the RO must obtain and associate with the claims file the Veteran's complete Social Security records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a new VA opinion was necessary due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's AML and the need for further examination if deemed necessary by the oncologist.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1637418
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 1637418.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. After considering all evidence and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant, service connection for AML due to herbicide exposure is granted.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and granted an initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, while remanding several other issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to the effective dates and service connection for AML, including a motion to revise the November 2005 rating decision on CUE grounds. The propriety of the January 2022 rating decision regarding the effective date for accrued benefits purposes is also under review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for AML with allogenic SCT from August 1, 2018. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of service connection claims related to hiatal hernia, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and an acquired mental disorder.
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