The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing whether the Veteran's respiratory condition, including chronic cough, is related to his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment with Ritaxan and whether it was aggravated by that treatment. The examiner must also address whether the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam may have caused or contributed to his respiratory condition.
The deciding factor: The examination report did not adequately address the question of whether the Veteran's respiratory condition, including chronic cough, is related to his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment with Ritaxan and whether it was aggravated by that treatment. Additionally, exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam should be addressed.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory condition, chronic cough
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21028937
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 21028937.
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 claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and a chronic cough are being remanded due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cough disability was granted with an effective date of January 1, 2002. This decision is based on the addition of relevant service department records that were not considered in prior decisions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic cough, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD, is remanded due to errors in obtaining SSA records and an inadequate TERA memo. The Board finds the AOJ erred by not attempting to obtain relevant SSA records and by relying on an incomplete TERA memo.
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