The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure, as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding obtaining a TERA medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The RO denied the Veteran's claims based on presumptive service connection without providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the disabilities and the toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).
- Claimed conditions
- loss of taste, stricture of esophagus, throat cancer residuals
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2023
- Citation
- A23029107
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 A23029107.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal stricture and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the latter condition. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining such an opinion.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims were granted effective from May 6, 2020. His SMC claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not affect his ability to work.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran was awarded service connection for allergic rhinitis based on the PACT Act, but an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, is not warranted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, loss of taste, and loss of smell to obtain additional medical evidence.
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