The Veteran's renal cancer status post right nephrectomy and rectal cancer with residuals are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his service, specifically herbicide exposure. Service connection will be considered under the presumptive theory due to herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: Further medical opinion is needed to assess whether the Veteran's renal and rectal cancers are related to his service, particularly his herbicide exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Renal Cancer status post right nephrectomy, Rectal cancer with residuals
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002221
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.