The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine if he had a diagnosis of chronic B-cell leukemia or other conditions listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) prior to his death, and whether any service-connected heart condition contributed to his cardiovascular symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's medical records need to be reviewed for evidence of a current diagnosis of chronic B-cell leukemia or other conditions listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) prior to his death, and the nature and severity of his service-connected heart condition from January 2016 to October 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- polycythemia, hereditary spherocytosis, congenital hemolytic anemia, G6PD deficiency, leukocytosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18102134
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18102134.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines (headaches) is granted. The claim for service connection for polycythemia and sleep apnea is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's polycythemia requires phlebotomy six or more times during a 12 month period, and thus an initial evaluation of 60 percent is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema, as secondary to his service-connected polycythemia, needs further examination and opinion. The case is therefore REMANDED.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukocytosis is granted. The Board finds the evidence in balance, granting the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.,For his spine disability, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied as there is no evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes in the past year.
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