The Board found that the Veteran's NASH was not present during service or for months thereafter, and was not caused by any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for NASH was denied.
The deciding factor: There were no symptoms or diagnoses of NASH in the Veteran's service records, and there is insufficient evidence to establish that his condition began during service.
- Claimed conditions
- NASH
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2016
- Citation
- 1643780
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 1643780.
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 Veteran seeks service connection for NASH, which he claims is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA has presumed that veterans exposed to contaminants in the water supply during their time at Camp Lejeune are entitled to presumptive service connection for certain diseases, including liver cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, a recent medical opinion concluded that NASH is not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board has determined this opinion was inadequate due to its inconsistency with VA's determination of the relationship between contaminants in the water supply and liver disease.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's NASH is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's liver condition diagnosed as NAFLD, NASH, and stage III fibrosis is due at least in part to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed disabilities, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and unspecified autoimmune disorder, which he contends are related to exposure to ionizing radiation at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to active service.
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.