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Whole decision: Denied

The Board has determined that the veteran is not recognized as a former prisoner of war for VA purposes. The issues regarding service connection for beriberi, dysentery and epigastric pain, heart disease, and malnutrition have been denied. The claim to reopen the malaria issue was also denied.

The deciding factor: The service department certified that the veteran had no POW status during his recognized service, which is not contested by the appellant. There is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between any of the claimed conditions and military service or to reopen the malaria claim.

Claimed conditions
beriberi, malnutrition, dysentery, heart disease, a condition characterized by epigastric pain
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
April 17, 2002
Citation
0203508

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 0203508.

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.

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