The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including fibromyalgia, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorders, colon cancer, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during service in Thailand, and thus could not establish a presumption of exposure. Additionally, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as his claims were based on unsubstantiated statements regarding exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, prostate cancer, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, colon cancer, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18146871
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18146871.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia and Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, bronchus, as well as an extension of the temporary 100 percent disability evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a direct service connection opinion and an adequate secondary service connection aggravation opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
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