The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding exposure to nuclear weaponry onboard USS Shasta and its relation to the Veteran's terminal gastric cancer. The appellant is seeking service connection for cause of death.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner’s opinion was found to be inadequate as it did not comply with the Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR) issued by CAVC in 2012, which specifically stated that there was exposure to nuclear ordinance onboard USS Shasta.
- Claimed conditions
- terminal gastric cancer with metastasis to the liver
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007545
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.