The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteochondral lesions of her knees and lumbar spine, as well as her breast cancer status post radical mastectomy. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of service personnel records regarding her Army National Guard service from 2008 onwards and outstanding private treatment records from Drs. William Gamel and Catherine Parker. Additionally, the Board requested an examination for the Veteran's breast cancer claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that evidence meets the low threshold of indicating a possible link between the Veteran's military service and her current disabilities, including her breast cancer status post radical mastectomy, which was diagnosed following documented environmental exposures in Iraq. The Board also noted that the September 2007 service record documenting minimal or marginal exposure to environmental contaminants is not dispositive of the types and degrees of exposure during her service.
- Claimed conditions
- osteochondral lesion of the left knee, osteochondral lesion of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, breast cancer status post radical mastectomy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22031779
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 22031779.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating, compensable rating, and extension of temporary total evaluation for his lumbar spine disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all claims in April 2022.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2024.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bowel and/or bladder disability, as well as other claims related to his spine and knee conditions, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate these matters.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.