The Board denied a compensable disability rating for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and denied special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show active NHL disease or treatment after 2003, and the Veteran was no longer receiving treatment for NHL. The Board found that there is no evidentiary basis to award SMC as the Veteran does not meet the threshold criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. 1114(s).
- Claimed conditions
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18119211
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 18119211.
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 connection claim for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to herbicide agent exposure is granted, as the evidence supports his Vietnam service and presumed exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Panama and that the disease did not have its onset during or within one year after service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete discussion of residual conditions and the applicability of recent amendments to rating criteria.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to additional development being required. The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is potentially related to exposure to toxic substances found at United States military installations on Okinawa, but a VA examination is needed to determine if his neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is proximately due to or the result of service-connected Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
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