The Board has found that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service-connected malaria and/or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current opinions are insufficient as they do not address whether the Veteran's service-connected malaria or his conceded exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, either separately or in tandem, contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve regurgitation, chronic kidney disease (CKD), pleural effusions
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22017514
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 22017514.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new evidence has been received to reconsider the claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is denied as the earliest effective date possible is August 2, 2024. The PACT Act did not establish CKD as a presumptive disease relating to herbicide agent exposure and MGUS was diagnosed after the liberalizing law.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is granted with an effective date of September 28, 2023. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is also set to this date.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic kidney disease, and the Board dismissed the claim.
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