The Veteran's three-vessel disease is presumed service-connected due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era, and therefore he is presumed exposed to herbicides. His current bilateral hearing loss may be related to his preexisting condition, but the examiner's opinion does not adequately address this issue. The Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not caused by or a result of acoustic trauma in service. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is less likely than not caused by or a result of service.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had service in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam Era, and therefore he is presumed exposed to herbicides. His current bilateral hearing loss may be related to his preexisting condition, but the examiner's opinion does not adequately address this issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Three-vessel disease, Bilateral hearing loss, Tinnitus, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1606671
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 1606671.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.