The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) due to exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange and a low back condition. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for deep veinous thrombosis of the left thigh was denied, as were claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a total rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the veteran's current conditions had their onset during active service or were caused by exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The claim for PTSD was adjudicated as part of an earlier decision and is considered final. The Board found no additional disability associated with VA medical treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) (claimed as a skin condition), low back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 5, 2003
- Citation
- 0318979
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 0318979.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back condition, finding that it is related to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition and a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically failing to provide a VA examination or medical opinion regarding his claimed bilateral ankle, knee, low back, and left shoulder conditions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted.
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