The Veteran's claims for service connection for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and Sjögren's syndrome, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illness, were denied. The appeal is based on the presumption of service connection for undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War veterans.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that her conditions are related to active duty service or a known clinical diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, Sjögren's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2018
- Citation
- 1827464
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 1827464.
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 Sjögren's syndrome rating was reduced from 100% to 10%, but the Board found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision, restoring the original 100% rating effective October 1, 2010.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that her service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's Sjögren's syndrome and leukocytoclastic vasculitis with hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenstrom were rated at 60 percent disabling, based on symptoms more nearly approximating exacerbations lasting a week or more, 2 to 3 times per year. The appeal is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of Sjögren's syndrome, and new evidence may be needed.
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