The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) was denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during active service, and the disease did not manifest within a year of separation. The Board found that MDS is not related to service.
The deciding factor: There was insufficient evidence to establish herbicide exposure or a causal relationship between service and MDS.
- Claimed conditions
- myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19126790
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's MDS and potential AML and b-cell leukemia due to inadequacies in previous opinions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), to include anaplastic anemia, due to toxic exposure at Fort McClellan.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome based on the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as it was not shown to be related to the Veteran's service or any toxic exposure.
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