The Board remands the claim for service connection for polycythemia vera to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and obtain further development of evidence related to exposure to ionizing radiation and water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The February 2023 and May 2023 VA opinions are inadequate as they did not address the Veteran's assertions or all relevant theories raised, including potential radiation exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- polycythemia vera
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2024
- Citation
- A24073074
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 polycythemia vera, finding a nexus to in-service herbicide agent exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to ionizing radiation and providing a new medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 60 percent evaluation for polycythemia vera, as the Veteran was prescribed molecularly targeted therapy to control red blood cell count.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for polycythemia vera to obtain additional records from the Veteran's community care provider.
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