The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient competent medical evidence and a need for an advisory opinion from an independent expert. The Veteran's service connection claim is related to his alleged exposure to herbicides and/or chemicals during his service, but rectal cancer is not on the list of conditions presumed due to such exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on the claim and required an advisory opinion from an independent expert to determine if the Veteran's rectal cancer is etiologically related to his active duty service, including his alleged chemical and/or herbicide exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- rectal adenocarcinoma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19169519
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 19169519.
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 Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's rectal disorder and colon disorders. The focus is on whether these conditions are related to service or if they are aggravated by a pre-existing condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and denied an earlier effective date for sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches and rectal adenocarcinoma were remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rectal adenocarcinoma was dismissed due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features contributed to his cause of death. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions to address this issue.
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