The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), with MDS being the primary cause. The Board found that the probative medical evidence reflects that the Veteran’s fatal MDS is at least as likely as not related to herbicide agent exposure in service, which is presumed for Vietnam-era veterans.
The deciding factor: The private oncologist's opinion linking the Veteran's MDS to his exposure to Agent Orange was well-reasoned and supported by a review of all relevant medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Pneumonia, Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20020951
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 20020951.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of the listed causes were related to his military service and no service-connected disability contributed to his death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The evidence showed well-controlled heart symptoms prior to death and no causal relationship between anxiety and cardiopulmonary disease or renal failure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) due to the evidence being at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's MDS is etiologically related to his active service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.
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