The Veteran's claim for service connection for colorectal cancer, including anal cancer, has been remanded due to inadequate verification of his exposure to jet fuels and firefighting chemicals during service. The AOJ is instructed to verify these exposures and associate relevant private treatment records with the claims file.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ did not take adequate steps to verify the Veteran's claimed TERA exposures, specifically exposure to jet fuels and firefighting chemicals, which are consistent with his service. The AOJ is instructed to complete this verification and associate relevant private treatment records with the claims file.
- Claimed conditions
- colorectal cancer, anal cancer
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26006205
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 A26006205.
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.
- Dismissed
Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal. As a result, no decision can be made on your claims.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for colorectal cancer, a disability rating more than 60 percent for nephrosclerosis associated with type II diabetes mellitus, TDIU, and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's colorectal cancer is granted on a direct basis. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his GI disorders, including diverticulitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for colorectal cancer, finding that the evidence did not establish a chronic condition in service or a relationship to service.
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