The Veteran's claims for service connection for fragment in the left eye, lung disorder, and respiratory disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam but failed to report for VA examinations which would have provided evidence on whether these disorders are related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were not substantiated by competent and probative evidence showing a current diagnosis of the claimed conditions or a link between those conditions and service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- fragment in left eye, lung disorder, respiratory disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2009
- Citation
- 0943803
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 0943803.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The Veteran's skin disorder, respiratory disorder, Crohn's disease, eye disorder, and migraines are all being reviewed again with new medical evaluations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that the evidence submitted tends to disprove a link between his current condition and active service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for a respiratory disorder is dismissed. Service connection for right hand palmar nodule and service connection for a right hand scar are granted, but the issue of service connection for a right hand disorder other than service-connected right hand palmar nodule is remanded.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
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