The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left wrist disability with ganglion cyst is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for Sjogren's syndrome, finding that the current diagnosis is at least as likely as not due to toxic exposure and/or burn pit exposure during her service in the Persian Gulf War.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion supports a link between the Veteran's Sjogren's syndrome and her military service, specifically her exposure to burn pits during the Persian Gulf War.
- Claimed conditions
- Sjogren's syndrome, left wrist ganglion cyst
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014560
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 A26014560.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or as a result of a disease or injury in active service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, skin disability, left knee disability, and left wrist ganglion cyst based on new evidence submitted since the last decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, were granted. The rating for Raynaud's disease was restored to a lower level, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA were established.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating for Raynaud's disease and service connection for Sjogren's syndrome as the appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision.
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