The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heart disease, hypothyroidism, OSA, diverticulitis, and GERD was denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other risk factors that could support a grant of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Vietnam Era but did not have documented in-country service in the Republic of Vietnam, and there was insufficient evidence to concede presumed exposure to herbicides based on his service record. The Board also found no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart disease, including CABG, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with permanent pacemaker placement, sick sinus syndrome, coronary artery disease with ischemic cardiomyopathy, severe symptoms of calcific aortic valve stenosis with aortic valve replacement, and congestive heart failure, Hypothyroidism (claimed as thyroid disorder), Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Diverticulitis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26006560
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 A26006560.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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