The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's metastatic adenocarcinoma is related to his exposure to herbicides during service, specifically Agent Orange. The SMC claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was indication of a possible link between the Veteran’s metastatic adenocarcinoma and his presumed exposure to herbicides, particularly Agent Orange, requiring further medical evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic adenocarcinoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19182282
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 Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his exposure to asbestos during active duty was a contributing factor.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to obtain additional information and opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death, his exposure to asbestos in service, and the relationship between his conditions and his service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's metastatic adenocarcinoma, including its presumed connection to Camp Lejeune exposure.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to connect any of the conditions listed on the Veteran's death certificate to service or to a service-connected disability. The Board also found that prostate cancer did not cause or contribute to colon cancer and metastasis.
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