The Board denied service connection for sickle cell trait and alpha thalassemia, finding that the conditions are congenital defects rather than diseases or injuries. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his genetic conditions without evidence of aggravation during service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that the Veteran's sickle cell trait and alpha thalassemia are congenital defects and not diseases, thus precluding service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- sickle cell trait, alpha thalassemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22039839
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 22039839.
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 remands the claims for service connection for alpha thalassemia, anemia, and hypothyroidism as secondary to anemia due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for sickle cell trait as it is a congenital defect not subject to service connection. The right knee condition was remanded due to an incomplete medical opinion regarding its etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell trait.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been improperly adjudicated due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records and Social Security disability records. The case is being remanded to correct this error.
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