The Board remands the claim for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's esophageal cancer was related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's esophageal cancer and service is a pre-decisional duty to assist error requiring remand.
- Claimed conditions
- malignant neoplasm of the esophagus with metastases (esophageal cancer)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022426
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.