The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient development regarding his allegations of herbicide exposure in service, pesticide exposure during service, and secondary service-connected skin disability. The claims are also remanded for additional medical opinions on the nature and cause of his gastrointestinal and skin disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was not enough evidence to verify the Veteran's allegations regarding herbicide exposure and pesticide use in service, which is critical to adjudicating the relevant service connection claims. The Board also noted that the Veteran has not been examined to determine the nature or likely cause of his gastrointestinal disability.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative colon cancer, diarrhea, type 2 diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18129988
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 18129988.
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 Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance of another person due to service-connected disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and internal inconsistencies in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms, including IBS, constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids, need further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure at Camp Lejeune, which could impact his eligibility for these benefits.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU for accrued benefits purposes is granted, and the initial compensable rating for his service-connected back scar is denied. The claims of higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.
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