The Veteran's service-connected Hodgkin's Disease is rated at 10 percent and the appeal for an increased evaluation has been denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s Hodgkin's Disease had active or treatment phase during the appeal period, and therefore, it could only be rated based on residuals. The residual complications of GERD were controlled with medication and did not significantly impact his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Hodgkin's Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074587
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,612 · Granted: 16% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20074587.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, specifically his medication for treatment of PTSD, is found to have contributed materially to his death. The Board concludes the evidence is in approximate balance with respect to whether the PTSD medication caused his death.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's Disease and multiple myeloma, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and insufficient evidence linking the current conditions to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's CAD was granted a 100 percent initial rating, effective July 26, 2019. The Veteran’s Hodgkin's disease is rated as noncompensable from February 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death in October 1980, finding no new and material evidence. The claim remains closed.,The Board also denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 (formerly 38 U.S.C.A. § 351) in October 1980, finding no new and material evidence. The claim remains closed.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.