The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The examiner must also determine if the cause of death was proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's cause of death and his military service, particularly his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiovascular collapse, gram negative bacteremia, neutropenia, gastric carcinoma with metastasis to liver and peritoneum
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20035662
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 20035662.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for a blood/bone marrow disorder, including myelodysplastic syndrome, leukopenia, and neutropenia, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board acknowledges that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for neutropenia was denied, while the issue of service connection for gastritis is remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal due to an improper concurrent election of review options.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a hematologic and lymphatic disability, including MDS with manifestations progressing to AML. The appeal for anxiety and depression is dismissed as moot due to the VA rating decision recognizing these conditions as manifestations of service-connected psychiatric disorders.
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