The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, lymphoma, left and right ankle disorders, left and right knee disorders, and a skin disorder on the right collar bone to include a skin lesion and melanoma due to lack of evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran's presumptive exposure to herbicides in Vietnam did not result in any of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The post-service medical records do not document diagnoses of the claimed disorders, and there is no evidence that they were present during service or within a year after service.
- Claimed conditions
- hyperlipidemia, lymphoma, left ankle disorders, right ankle disorders, left knee disorders, right knee disorders, skin disorder on the right collar bone (including a skin lesion and melanoma)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23011759
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 23011759.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in developing evidence related to possible ionizing radiation exposure and TERA participation. The claim will be reconsidered with proper development of this information.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic anxiety disorder, which was related to service, contributed substantially to his death from a stroke caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the March 2025 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and remands the case to allow for a new medical determination considering all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's conditions and functional ability.
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.