The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II and seizures have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of in-service injury or illness related to these conditions.,There was insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding herbicide exposure during his Okinawa service, which prevented a determination on this basis.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed disabilities had their onset in service or are otherwise related to military service. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty.,There was insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding herbicide exposure during his Okinawa service, which prevented a determination on this basis.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II, seizures
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18123108
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 18123108.
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's rheumatoid arthritis disability rating is being remanded for additional development due to significant weight loss and anemia.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity peripheral artery disease, left lower extremity peripheral artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a heart disability prior to his death is granted as he was entitled to accrued benefits due to the September 1994 claim, which included ischemic heart disease, a covered herbicide disease.
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