The Board denied service connection for low white blood count, skin condition (basal cell cancer and actinic keratosis), colon polyps, and pericardial cyst to include as result of presumed herbicide exposure.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or presumed herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no medical evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The half-life of the condition in question was noted as being longer than the time since the Veteran's presumed exposure.,Similarly, the Board concluded that the Veteran's skin conditions (basal cell cancer and actinic keratosis) were not related to his service or presumed herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- low white blood count, skin condition (basal cell cancer and actinic keratosis), colon polyps, pericardial cyst
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19169048
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 19169048.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic ear infections, chronic allergic rhinitis, colon polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic headaches (to include as due to sinusitis) based on the lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's assertions were not considered competent evidence regarding his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bruising due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for breast tumors, gall bladder condition, and colon polyps are remanded as the evidence does not include an opinion on their relationship to active duty service or any toxic exposures.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an esophageal condition are granted. The claim for service connection for a chronic fatigue disability is denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected colon polyps is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development. The Veteran's pericardial cyst is being reviewed, as well as his bilateral eye disorder.
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