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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1619732.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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