The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development regarding potential exposure to PFAS firefighting foam and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder conditions.
The deciding factor: The RO must reconsider whether the Veteran's TERAs include exposure to carcinogenic firefighting foam, as this was not considered in the previous decision. Additionally, a new VA examination is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's claimed shoulder disabilities and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis status post lumbar surgery, Arteriosclerotic heart disease, heart block, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stents (claimed as ischemic heart disease), Hydronephrosis and kidney stones, Sleep apnea, Bladder cancer with bladder stone (claimed as residuals of bladder cancer), Benign prostatic hyperplasia with erectile dysfunction (claimed as prostate condition post-surgery), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (claimed as severe reflux), Hypertension (high blood pressure), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ulcerative colitis and diverticulosis (claimed as ulcerated colitis with IBS and erythematous mucosa), Basal cell under right eye, Rotator cuff, shoulder impingement and bicipital tendonitis, right (claimed as tear in both rotator cuffs), Rotator cuff, shoulder impingement and bicipital tendonitis, left (claimed as tear in both rotator cuffs), Squamous cell cancer left arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2024
- Citation
- A24085317
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 A24085317.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether his condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and obesity. The AOJ will need to provide a VA examination to clarify these issues.
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