The claim for VA compensation for birth defects involving medullary sponge kidney disease and Crohn's disease of the veteran's child was denied as there is no legal basis for such benefits.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence that the veteran's daughter has spina bifida, which is the only birth defect covered under the provisions allowing VA compensation based on a Vietnam veteran's herbicide exposure. Additionally, the mother of the veteran's child did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era.
- Claimed conditions
- medullary sponge kidney disease, Crohn's disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0903865
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for Crohn's disease to correct duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for an adequate addendum opinion that addresses the June 2021 private medical opinion regarding the Veteran's symptoms related to his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of Crohn's disease to obtain a medical opinion regarding its etiology in relation to the Veteran's Gulf War service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for Crohn's disease for a new VA examination to address outstanding questions of nexus.
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