The Board denied service connection for aortic valve disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and hypertension as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or are related to active service. The claims for squamous cell carcinoma, chloracne, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy were remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence of record weighed against a finding of toxic risk exposure activity (TERA) participation during service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Additionally, there was no credible evidence supporting the onset or relationship of the claimed conditions to active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Aortic valve disease, Ischemic heart disease (IHD), Hypertension, Squamous cell carcinoma, Chloracne, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2025
- Citation
- A25049735
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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