The Veteran's service connection claim for stage IV mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding radiation exposure during military service. The Board finds that the Under Secretary for Health should prepare a dose estimate based on available methodologies, given the Veteran's assignment at Crailsheim, Germany from December 1986 to September 1991, in the fallout zone of the Chernobyl event.
The deciding factor: The duty to assist error occurred due to the failure to prepare a radiation dose estimate as required by 38 C.F.R. § 3.311.
- Claimed conditions
- stage IV mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2022
- Citation
- A22023238
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 A22023238.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 3, 2025 for service connection of MCL on a direct basis is granted. The claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of SMC and evaluation of 100 percent for MCL are remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for stage IV mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) under the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
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