The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of superior vena cava syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, fibrosing mediastinitis, and hepatic steatosis must be remanded due to deficiencies in the previous VA opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum VA opinions addressing these issues.
The deciding factor: The previous VA opinions did not adequately address causation or aggravation of the claimed conditions based on service connection and exposure history, necessitating further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- superior vena cava syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, fibrosing mediastinitis, hepatic steatosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2024
- Citation
- A24049239
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 A24049239.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hepatic steatosis have been denied. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and migraines were all denied increased ratings.,Service connection for hepatic steatosis was granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis, including as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to his military service or presumed exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for his left index finger scar is granted. The appeal to grant service connection for hepatic steatosis is dismissed as the Veteran did not file a written statement of disagreement within the required timeframe.
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