The Board remands the matter for an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's polycystic kidney disease is a congenital disease or defect and, if applicable, to determine if it was aggravated by service exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The previous opinions were inadequate due to errors in addressing the nature of the condition and the standard for assessing aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- polycystic kidney disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24031444
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for polycystic kidney disease, finding that it did not manifest during active service and is not etiologically related to such service.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as there was no communication prior to January 31, 2011, that could be construed as a formal or informal claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, right hip disability, and polycystic kidney disease to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for polycystic kidney disease as the evidence does not support a current disability that causes functional impairment affecting earning capacity.
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.