The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his blood disorder is a congenital defect and not due to military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show any aggravation of the pre-existing condition by military service.
- Claimed conditions
- sickle cell B thalassemia, pain in the joints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2016
- Citation
- 1619732
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 1619732.
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 has remanded the claim due to the need for additional medical comment addressing whether pain in the Veteran's joints, including especially in his neck, back, and legs, is secondary to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and because a new theory of entitlement was raised by the Veteran's representative. The claim is now being reviewed with additional medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the pain in the joints, including especially in the neck, back, and legs.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be obtained with consideration of potential Agent Orange exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining private treatment records and VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.
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