The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, mycobacterium-avium complex, hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, atrial fibrillation, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand or at Eglin AFB.
The deciding factor: The Board found no actual exposure to herbicide agents based on the Veteran's service records and lay statements, as well as the lack of documentation of his unit being in the testing area. The Board concluded that secondary exposure from working on aircrafts stationed over Vietnam was not applicable due to the high altitude of these aircraft.
- Claimed conditions
- multiple myeloma, mycobacterium-avium complex, hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, atrial fibrillation, lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20020789
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20020789.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a colon condition, including as caused by herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection on any basis.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 100 percent for service-connected multiple myeloma has been denied. The Board also remanded two issues related to nerve neuropathies, and the claims for TDIU and SMC have been denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
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