The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for leukopenia, vision loss (decreased visual acuity), high cholesterol, and hypertension are not supported by evidence of a current disability or a disease incurred in service. The veteran's leukopenia is considered an abnormal laboratory finding rather than a recognized medical condition warranting service connection. His decreased visual acuity is due to refractive errors of the eyes, which are developmental defects and not diseases or injuries within the meaning of applicable legislation for VA purposes. Hypertension was not incurred in service and there is no positive association with herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The veteran's leukopenia, vision loss (decreased visual acuity), high cholesterol, and hypertension do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are either not recognized medical conditions or due to developmental defects rather than diseases or injuries incurred in service. The Board also found that there is no positive association between herbicide exposure and these disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Leukopenia, Vision loss (decreased visual acuity), High cholesterol, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2008
- Citation
- 0838306
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 0838306.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.