Service connection is granted for a heart condition, diagnosed as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's service in Vietnam during the Gulf War era is presumed to have exposed him to herbicide agents, which are associated with ischemic heart diseases like his current condition.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not establish that the Veteran has a present disability of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is denied for TBI and its residuals. The Veteran's service treatment records do not indicate any head trauma, and there is no indication of such in post-service medical records.,Service connection is remanded for stroke residuals. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his Gulf War era service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran served in the Gulf War era and has been presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, which are associated with ischemic heart diseases like his current condition (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease).
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, heart condition (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease), traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke residuals
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18118771
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18118771.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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