The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome and pancreatic cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The AOJ is required to conduct additional development, including verifying the Veteran's presence at Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts during his period of service, and obtaining a dose estimate based on available methodologies.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further development was needed due to the lack of records regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and requested that the AOJ obtain additional information about weapons testing at Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts during his period of service.
- Claimed conditions
- myelodysplastic syndrome, pancreatic cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2022
- Citation
- 22004289
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 22004289.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and the Board denied the claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood cancer, leukemia, eye disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome, and thrombocytopenia due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service. The case is remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal for accrued benefits and has remanded the issue of service connection for cause of death, as there was a duty to assist error related to obtaining a medical nexus opinion regarding in-service herbicide agent exposure.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for liver cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are attributable to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).
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