The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the medical evidence does not support a finding that his myelodysplastic syndrome was related to active service or any other exposure basis.
The deciding factor: Myelodysplastic Syndrome developed many years after service and there is no evidence linking it to service or any other exposure basis.
- Claimed conditions
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2014
- Citation
- 1449849
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 1449849.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which are presumed to be related to the development of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome is granted with an effective date of February 28, 2014. The rating assigned is 10%.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), thus the severance of service connection is improper.
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.