Case Summary:

In the case of Ryan v. Department of Veterans Affairs (Docket No. 24-1814), the petitioner, a veteran, is appealing a denial of service-connected disability benefits originally issued by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The core factual dispute involves whether the veteran’s medical condition was directly caused or aggravated by toxic exposures encountered during their period of active military service.

The petitioner alleges that the Department of Veterans Affairs failed to fulfill its statutory duty to assist by neglecting to secure specific military personnel records that documented the veteran's proximity to environmental hazards.

A central point of the factual record is a conflict between a VA-contracted medical examiner, who found no link to service, and a private medical specialist, who provided a nexus letter supporting the veteran’s claim.

The petitioner contends that the VA’s medical examination was factually inadequate because the examiner did not review the veteran’s complete service treatment file before rendering an opinion.

The case also examines whether the veteran’s service locations and dates qualify for presumptive service connection under the specific criteria established by the PACT Act.

Following the oral arguments held on February 2, 2026, the court is now reviewing whether the lower tribunal’s reliance on the VA medical opinion constituted a "clear and unmistakable error" based on the evidence provided.