The Board denied service connection for myelodysplasia syndrome and the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicides.
The deciding factor: The weight of the evidence did not establish a nexus between the Veteran’s in-service presumptive exposure to Agent Orange and his diagnosed myelodysplasia syndrome. The Board also found insufficient evidence to link the cause of death (myelodysplasia syndrome with pancytopenia) to active service.
- Claimed conditions
- myelodysplasia syndrome, pancytopenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20055384
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 20055384.
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 Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and other environmental hazards during service, as well as a need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for pancytopenia and radiation induced anemia due to a need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for myelodysplasia syndrome to obtain a medical examination and opinion, as the previous VA examination was found inadequate.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's current diagnosis of pancytopenia, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), is due to his exposure to herbicide agents in service. The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's pancytopenia based on this exposure.
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