The Board dismissed all claims related to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lung condition, skin condition, and TDIU as the Veteran died during the appeal. The cause of death was listed as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive lung disease, cor pulmonale with heart failure, and exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for the cause of death is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to conclude that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange contributed substantially or materially to his lung diseases which caused his death.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung condition (pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive lung disease, cor pulmonale with heart failure), skin condition, cause of death (pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive lung disease, cor pulmonale with heart failure, exposure to lung toxin (Agent Orange))
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18121587
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 18121587.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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