The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for pulmonary hypertension and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (renal cancer) due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA will obtain addendum opinions from an appropriate clinician to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, including their relationship to military service, Agent Orange exposure, and PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions for secondary service connection claims related to pulmonary hypertension and renal cancer. The VA will obtain addendum opinions from an appropriate clinician to address these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- pulmonary hypertension, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (renal cancer)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2021
- Citation
- A21020499
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 A21020499.
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 Board has found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including pulmonary hypertension and hypoxia (claimed as asbestosis), are related to his service exposure. However, due to potential additional exposures during civilian employment, a remand is required for further examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ erred in not obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents caused his cardiogenic shock, valvular heart disease, and/or pulmonary hypertension. The case is being remanded for this purpose.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's essential hypertension and pulmonary hypertension are aggravated by his service-connected cardiac arrhythmia.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected cardiac disability, and dismissed the DIC claim as moot.
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