The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for throat cancer with loss of salivary glands, psychiatric disability, cognitive disability, autonomic neurological disability, orthostatic hypotension, left eye disability, and residuals of strokes due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran's representative requested an examination to determine if his throat cancer is related to service exposure to toxic chemicals.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran has submitted relevant service department records indicating potential exposure to toxic chemicals in service which could be associated with his current disabilities, and thus remanded for further development including a VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- throat cancer, loss of salivary glands, psychiatric disability (depression with symptoms of suicidal thoughts, memory loss, and sleep disorder), autonomic neurological disability, orthostatic hypotension, left eye disability, residuals of strokes
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20011374
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 20011374.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failing to obtain SSA records and VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left eye disability is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung cancer is denied. The claim for throat cancer is granted, and the Veteran is awarded a TDIU rating prior to August 10, 2022.
- Denied
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