The Board has determined that the Veteran did not experience continuous symptoms of any of his claimed disabilities after service separation, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for cardiomegaly, gout, skin cancer (claimed as mole cancer), residuals of a fracture of the left 7th rib, pulmonary fibrosis, or urinary tract infection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's post-service medical records do not reflect complaints or treatment related to any of these disabilities until many years after service separation. The Board finds that his assertions of continuity of symptomatology since active service are not credible due to the significant time gap between discharge from active duty and initial diagnosis, as well as inconsistencies in his statements.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiomegaly, gout, skin cancer (claimed as mole cancer), residuals of a fracture of the left 7th rib, pulmonary fibrosis, urinary tract infection
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 2, 2010
- Citation
- 1033098
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 1033098.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's gout claim for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination and ensuring all relevant records are obtained. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gout and bilateral foot conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's representative requested an informal conference, but it did not take place before the April 2021 rating decision was issued.
- Granted
The Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
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