The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service radiation exposure and the need for an addendum opinion.
The deciding factor: The examiner failed to consider the Veteran’s credible lay statements regarding his in-service radiation exposure when providing their opinion on whether the autoimmune disorder is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Autoimmune disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21023643
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 21023643.
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: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and the request for substitution of claimant upon death was denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an autoimmune disorder and a blood disorder, both linked to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further examination by an independent medical expert due to the rare nature of the conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The appeal for service connection for COPD is granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Service connection for PTSD and Scheuermann's disease with fatigue are remanded as there is insufficient evidence on record. The appeal for autoimmune disorder is also remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.