The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other toxic chemicals during her military service and thus not meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have documented exposure to Agent Orange or other toxic chemicals during her military service, as evidenced by lack of records at March Air Force Base and conflicting lay assertions.
- Claimed conditions
- Hand disability, Bone disability, Physical incapacitation (multiple sclerosis with optic neuropathy), Internal organ disability (uterine prolapse), Nail disability, Body odor disability, Hair loss disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18150297
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 18150297.
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-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The need for aid and attendance is also remanded due to the absence of an examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 14, 2007 is denied as he was on active duty status and maintained meaningful employment during that period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hand disability, back disability, and disability manifested by residuals of a heat stroke. The claims are therefore being remanded for additional examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, neck, left elbow, and hand disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is also being remanded for a VA examination to assess his current left shoulder disability.
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