The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, COPD, migraines, a back disability, right and left upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy, and fibromyalgia have been dismissed. The claim for signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy is remanded due to a need for updated toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memo and VA medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The claims were dismissed as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service, including the TERA exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD, COPD, migraines, back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, signet ring gastric carcinoma status post gastrectomy/cholecystectomy, fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2026
- Citation
- A26029547
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 A26029547.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
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