The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient etiology opinions and for consideration of secondary service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the February 2021 examiner's opinion was inadequate, particularly regarding the persistence of the infection since 2007 and the potential association with Agent Orange exposure. The Board also noted the need to consider whether any infectious disease is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected coronary artery disease and prostate cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracoabdominal actinomycosis, left supraorbital zoster infection, neutropenia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21073966
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 21073966.
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 claim for service connection for a blood/bone marrow disorder, including myelodysplastic syndrome, leukopenia, and neutropenia, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board acknowledges that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for neutropenia was denied, while the issue of service connection for gastritis is remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal due to an improper concurrent election of review options.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a hematologic and lymphatic disability, including MDS with manifestations progressing to AML. The appeal for anxiety and depression is dismissed as moot due to the VA rating decision recognizing these conditions as manifestations of service-connected psychiatric disorders.
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