The Board remands the claims for service connection for thyroid nodules and a bladder disorder due to a duty to assist error, specifically related to exposure to Agent Orange during service in Japan and South Korea.
The deciding factor: Remand is necessary as there was a failure to assist by not attempting to obtain records from relevant agencies regarding potential exposure to Agent Orange, and the VA bladder examination opinions were found inadequate due to lack of consideration of significant evidence and failure to address aggravation questions.
- Claimed conditions
- bladder disorder, thyroid nodules
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25016714
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 785 · Granted: 34% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25016714.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's shingles disability has been granted service connection.,Service connection for a bladder disorder is denied.,Service connection for a migraine disorder is remanded.,Service connection for a uterine fibroid disorder is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantial, gainful employment prior to May 1, 2021. Her earnings exceeded the poverty threshold for each year during this period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The effective date for tinea unguium remains denied, and the other issues are pending further review.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including depression, mental health disorder, TBI, alopecia, headaches, TMJ disorder, insomnia, OSA, conjunctivitis, dry eye disorder, glaucoma, PFB, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, asthma, hyperthyroid disorder, hives, anemia, DM (diabetes mellitus), heart disorder, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), kidney stones, hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, right hip/thigh disorder, left hip/thigh disorder, varicose veins, heel spurs, pes planus, bunions, RUE neuropathy, LUE neuropathy, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, back disorder, RLE neuropathy, LLE neuropathy, HTN (hypertension), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), bladder disorder, ED (erectile dysfunction), prostate disorder, and gout.
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