The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as circulatory problems), degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and generalized annular bulging at L3-L4 and L4-5, post-traumatic stress disorder, bronchitis, knee disorders, headaches, and hand coordination problems, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The veteran's claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service, and there is no affirmative evidence to establish no such exposure in service. The veteran's claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as circulatory problems), DDD at L5-S1 and generalized annular bulging at L3-L4 and L4-5, claimed as back and leg problems, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bronchitis (claimed as breathing problems), bilateral knee disorder, headaches (claimed as due to herbicide exposure), bilateral hand coordination problems (claimed as due to herbicide exposure)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2004
- Citation
- 0426088
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0426088.
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: Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied, and the rating assigned prior to September 12, 2024, is noncompensable.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left toe amputation, triple bypass surgery, blockage in legs, and bilateral tinnitus due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and current diagnosis.,The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is granted due to presumptive service connection for exposure at Fort McClellan, Alabama.,The Veteran's status post total shoulder replacement, to include degenerative arthritis, is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's scar, residual right shoulder surgery, is granted as it is related to his now service-connected status post total shoulder replacement.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder, gout, multiple painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
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