The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's blood and bone marrow cancer, including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation, and his active-duty service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The opinions should also consider whether the condition is related to his service-connected prostate cancer.
The deciding factor: The Board cannot make a fully informed decision without medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's blood and bone marrow cancer and his active-duty service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, as well as any potential aggravation by his service-connected prostate cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23068145
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 23068145.
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 has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) due to presumed exposure to environmental hazards during military service, specifically burn pits. The Veteran's MDS is considered presumptively related to his Gulf War service.
- Granted
Service connection for MDS is granted, and a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected back disability is also granted. Other issues on appeal are resolved in favor of the appellant.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus service connection for MDS is granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
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