The Veteran's claims for service connection for polycythemia vera and bilateral pulmonary embolisms were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the disorders did not begin during service or are otherwise etiologically related to service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that polycythemia vera and bilateral pulmonary embolisms were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- polycythemia vera, bilateral pulmonary embolisms
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19173031
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 19173031.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heart attack, kidney stones, polycythemia vera, diabetes mellitus type 2, and psoriasis is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches may be related to his service-connected polycythemia vera and/or acquired psychiatric disorder, but more evidence is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of his headaches.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's polycythemia vera is caused by in-service exposure to benzene, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's polycythemia vera is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.
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