The Board has remanded the claims for toxic encephalopathy and cognitive impairment due to chemical exposures in service, requiring additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to such exposure.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of headaches and memory loss began during or shortly after his service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the duration and nature of his exposure to toxic chemicals. The Board requires an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to address these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Toxic encephalopathy, Cognitive impairment (including short-term memory loss and depression)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18119531
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 18119531.
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 Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for toxic encephalopathy remains pending and requires further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition.
- Denied
The VA has determined that the Veteran does not have toxic encephalopathy or any other neurological disability associated with in-service exposure to toxins, solvents, and vaccinations.
- Denied
The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA's carelessness or negligence, and thus denied his claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.