The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for neutropenia and MDS were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions required transfusions or resulted in recurring infections during the specified periods.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed no need for transfusions or recurrent infections, which are necessary to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent under applicable VA guidelines.
- Claimed conditions
- Neutropenia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18109807
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 18109807.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and a higher disability evaluation for MDS, as well as remanded service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Parkinson's Disease based on new and relevant evidence of exposure to toxic chemicals during active service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a TERA analysis and potentially an opinion regarding the Veteran's AML or MDS as it may be related to toxic exposure during service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.
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