The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, including for ischemic heart disease presumed related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The left shoulder disorder was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction was also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not addressed as the issue is related to a different claim.
The deciding factor: The claims were denied based on insufficient evidence linking the disabilities to service, including exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease, Left shoulder disorder, Acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as a nervous condition), Lumbar strain, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1751377
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 1751377.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 18, 2014, and a higher than 60 percent rating thereafter for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The examiner needs to provide more detailed information about the severity of his service-connected condition.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
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