The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the nature and etiology of his lymphedema and peripheral neuropathy conditions.
The deciding factor: The case requires further examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and service exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- lymphedema, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1717021
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 1717021.
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 Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lymphedema, which may be related to Agent Orange exposure or service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to new evidence submitted after the initial decision, which includes private dermatologist treatment records diagnosing lymphedema. The VA examiner's opinion prior to this submission was deemed inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and for a new VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-phlebitic syndrome, left and right lower extremities due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior rating decision. The VA examination was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's lay statements of symptoms and the prescription for special compression appliances.
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.