The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions regarding the qualifications of the medical examiner. The Veteran's hematologic disability, including erythrocytosis, is being evaluated for its relationship to in-service chemical exposure, specifically jet fuel and corrosion-protective agents (which include benzene and toluene).
The deciding factor: The case requires a specialist's opinion regarding the potential etiological link between the current hematologic disability and in-service chemical exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- hematologic disability, erythrocytosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23062446
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 23062446.
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 Veteran's service connection claim for myelodysplastic syndrome is granted due to new and relevant evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service, which is presumed. The Board finds the evidence in balance regarding whether this condition was caused by such exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits is dismissed due to withdrawal of the bladder arteriovenous malformation claim. The claims for lung nodules, OSA, and other conditions are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's polycythemia/erythrocytosis is a congenital defect or disease, and if it is a disease, whether it was aggravated by service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hematologic disability and secondary erythrocytosis. The claim will be reviewed again with a new addendum VA opinion from a board-certified oncologist or a medical doctor.
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