The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's conditions, including his heart disorder and acute pupillary changes with thalamic ischemia versus demyelination, are related to service, particularly given his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The outcome of the burial benefits claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a medical opinion addressing direct service connection and service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death was warranted due to the complexity of the case, including the need to consider presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- acute pupillary changes with thalamic ischemia versus demyelination, cardiomyopathy, respiratory failure, staphylococcus sepsis with multiple cardiovascular accidents, urosepsis with multiple organisms, dementia, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2018
- Citation
- 18157672
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 18157672.
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 Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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