The Veteran's service connection claim for Burkitt lymphoma is remanded due to the lack of presumptive service connection based on exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, but a direct service connection examination is warranted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has been diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which qualifies under the presumption. However, he did not serve at Camp Lejeune during the presumptive period and thus cannot establish service connection based on exposure to contaminants in the water supply.
- Claimed conditions
- Burkitt lymphoma
- 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
- August 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18129633
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 18129633.
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 Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of Burkitt lymphoma on a direct basis, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating, effective from August 14, 2018. His bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The 100% rating for Burkitt lymphoma was discontinued as of December 1, 2018.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was denied due to lack of service connection for the cause of his death, and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for ureteral perforation were also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which he developed due to exposure to smoke from oil fires and other air pollutants during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theatre. The Board finds that there is a causal relationship between the Veteran's cancer and his military service.
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