The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an unknown tropical disease, including malaria and hepatitis, as well as an esophageal disorder, to include hiatal hernia and GERD, were denied.,There is no evidence in the record supporting a direct link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions provided by the April 2017 and October 2017 VA examiners concluded that there was no nexus between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of an unknown tropical disease, esophageal disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1801486
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 1801486.
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 case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal or esophageal disability was caused or aggravated by service or any related conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, left knee, upper jaw/dental, and esophageal disorders due to lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in excess of the current ratings. The Board granted a 10 percent rating for left nasal cavity mass with obstruction prior to March 18, 2024, but denied a compensable rating beginning that date. The Board remanded service connection for esophageal disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an esophageal disorder and a thyroid disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service, including asbestos exposure.
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