The Veteran's service connection claim for primary thrombocythemia, arthritis thrombocytosis (leukemia) with bone marrow infection and erysipelas (blood disorder), to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is remanded due to the need for clarification of his diagnoses and determination of their relationship to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examination provided a negative opinion regarding the claimed conditions but noted that the correct diagnosis was polycythemia vera. The Veteran's private treatment records show a diagnosis of thrombocytosis as recently as August 2019, which is inconsistent with the diagnoses in the claims file.
- Claimed conditions
- primary thrombocythemia, arthritis thrombocytosis (leukemia) with bone marrow infection, erysipelas (blood disorder), polycythemia vera
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21007889
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 21007889.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's polycythemia vera is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.
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