The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for vocal cord leukoplakia with residual hoarseness as due to exposure to herbicides, and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Veteran's lay contention is that his throat condition was caused by herbicide exposure during service. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if any residuals of vocal cord leukoplakia are related to active service, including conceded herbicide exposure in service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is warranted to determine whether any residuals of vocal cord leukoplakia are related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service.
- Claimed conditions
- vocal cord leukoplakia, residual hoarseness
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18136321
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 18136321.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for vocal cord leukoplakia with dysplasia and residual hoarseness as a throat condition for purposes of accrued benefits, finding that the Veteran's post-service throat disability was not related to his in-service herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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