The Board remands the claims for service connection for polycythemia vera, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as additional evidence is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to toxic substances other than herbicide agents while stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the Agency of Original Jurisdiction did not contact the appropriate records facility or service entity to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to toxic substances other than herbicide agents while stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan from October 1968 to May 1970.
- Claimed conditions
- polycythemia vera, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2025
- Citation
- 25008746
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 left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for polycythemia vera, finding a nexus to in-service herbicide agent exposure.
- Partly granted
The appeal was granted for service connection for latent tuberculosis and dermatitis of the face, while other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis, small bowel obstruction, to include small bowel perforation, status post left hemicolectomy, Hartman's pouch and ileostomy (bowel condition), as well as right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.
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