The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's polycythemia vera is related to his service, specifically exposure to benzine and/or other toxins.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is potential causation between polycythemia vera and exposure to toxins such as benzine based on previous VA decisions referencing scientific evidence linking these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- polycythemia vera
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20059041
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 20059041.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heart attack, kidney stones, polycythemia vera, diabetes mellitus type 2, and psoriasis is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches may be related to his service-connected polycythemia vera and/or acquired psychiatric disorder, but more evidence is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of his headaches.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's polycythemia vera is caused by in-service exposure to benzene, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's polycythemia vera is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.
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