The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The veteran's facial scars were rated as noncompensable, and his loss of teeth from the lower mandible was also rated as noncompensable. His claims for cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, and skin rash were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to support the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection based on his claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- scars of the face, loss of teeth from the lower mandible, cardiac disease including cardiomegaly, pulmonary disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, skin rash
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 3, 2000
- Citation
- 0017555
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0017555.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's skin rash is not service-connected, but his temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is service-connected. The TMD was found to be related to a dental procedure during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and other procedural issues.,Specifically, the AOJ failed to consider whether the Veteran was entitled to presumptions of soundness or aggravation regarding his skin rash condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PFB, hypertension, and right knee degenerative arthritis. The claims for left shoulder disability and skin rash have been denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has granted service connection for a right groin strain but denied the claims for acid reflux, upper respiratory infection, and skin rash due to untimely notice of disagreement.
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