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Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, COPD, and prostate disability. The claim for service connection for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of current residuals. For COPD, the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service. Regarding the prostate disability, new evidence has been submitted but the Board still found insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship with service.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's separation examination did not show any signs or symptoms of malaria and there is no medical evidence showing current residuals. The VA examiner opined that COPD was less likely related to service due to isolated incidents of bronchitis in service. For the prostate disability, while new evidence showed a diagnosis, it was insufficient to establish a direct relationship with service.

Claimed conditions
malaria, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), benign prostatic hypertrophy
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
June 30, 2017
Citation
1725046

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 1725046.

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.

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