The Board has determined that the Veteran's polycythemia vera, MGUS, TIA, gastrointestinal bleed, JAK2 V61F gene mutation, and thrombocytopenia may be related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected polycythemia vera or MGUS.
The deciding factor: The Board requires a VA examination to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his in-service herbicide exposure and whether they are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- polycythemia vera, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), gastrointestinal bleed, Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) V61F gene mutation, thrombocytopenia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21001147
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 21001147.
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 denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood cancer, leukemia, eye disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome, and thrombocytopenia due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service. The case is remanded for further development.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is denied as the earliest effective date possible is August 2, 2024. The PACT Act did not establish CKD as a presumptive disease relating to herbicide agent exposure and MGUS was diagnosed after the liberalizing law.
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