The Veteran's blood disorder, including essential thrombocythemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's current blood disorders are linked to his reported exposure to smoke and oil in the Persian Gulf.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's blood disorder to his military service, including his reports of a platelet disorder during service and his reported exposure to smoke and oil while stationed in the Persian Gulf. The exact cause of the Veteran's blood disorders is unknown but many cases are related to genetic mutations.
- Claimed conditions
- Essential Thrombocythemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2016
- Citation
- 1632636
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 1632636.
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.
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