The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion relied upon in denying service connection for colon cancer is inadequate due to its failure to address the Veteran's conceded exposure to toxic risk activities (TERA) and remands the case for an addendum opinion.
The deciding factor: The October 2025 VA-contracted examination did not address the conceded TERA of herbicide agent 2, 3, 7, and 8; TCDD; mustard gas; nitrogen; sulfur mustard or lewisite; exposure to occupational hazards to include lubricants and oils; heat stress; gas and fumes; jet propellant 8; exhaust; and Camp Lejeune water contamination of PCE; TCE; vinyl chloride; and benzene.
- Claimed conditions
- colon cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014820
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 A26014820.
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 case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to service. The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and colon cancer are being evaluated for their relationship to toxic exposure during service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for colon cancer and liver cancer is granted due to the relationship between his in-service toxic exposures, including burn pits. His liver cancer was found to be related to his now service-connected colon cancer.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, finding that his current diagnosis of colon cancer is related to toxic exposures in service and resolving any reasonable doubt in his favor.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and his military service, including any conceded exposure to toxic substances.
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