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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26006560.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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