The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides there. The claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM, PN of bilateral lower extremities, CAD, ED, HTN, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, glaucoma, and obesity, have been denied as they are not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records do not show any documented exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS VANCOUVER. As such, the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply in this case.
- Claimed conditions
- DM, PN of bilateral lower extremities, CAD, ED, HTN
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2014
- Citation
- 1404509
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1404509.
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 remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his accidental drowning death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease and three myocardial infarctions. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in May 2024, as the appellant was eligible but his claim is moot due to a calculation error and no case or controversy remains.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2017.
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