The Board has granted the petition to reopen a previously denied claim for heart disease and remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and hypothyroidism (claimed as thyroid condition) due to new evidence received since the last denial. The underlying service connection claims are being remanded for additional development regarding presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new evidence, including the Veteran's assertions of in-service exposure to Agent Orange and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his service connection claims. However, due to the lack of official confirmation of his exposure to herbicide agents, the underlying claim for heart disease remains remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypothyroidism
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22032477
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 22032477.
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 claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hypothyroidism is denied, and the Board finds that service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral foot condition should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and prostate cancer. The issues of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are remanded.
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