The Board has remanded the case for further investigation and adjudication regarding service connection for cause of death due to exposure to hazardous contaminants other than radiation at Kirtland Air Force Base, and for a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 related to negligence in performing an incomplete resection surgery.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Appellant's claims regarding service connection and 38 U.S.C. § 1151 need further investigation due to potential exposure to hazardous contaminants other than radiation at Kirtland Air Force Base during the Veteran's period of service.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic bladder cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23038797
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 23038797.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his metastatic bladder cancer was likely incurred in or caused by his active service due to exposure to toxic chemicals, including benzene.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic bladder cancer, which is a presumptive condition due to herbicide exposure. The effective date for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been granted as April 1, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic bladder cancer, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's condition was related to his military service. The appeal is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, metastatic bladder cancer, is presumed service connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.
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.