Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure in service is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in service is denied.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to ischemic heart disease is denied.,Bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and residuals of spider bite on the right hand are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for skin condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service, as evidenced by his current report and negative STRs indicating no complaints or treatment for tinnitus during service.,There is insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure in the Veteran’s case. The Board finds that there is no credible evidence showing Agent Orange exposure, thus denying service connection for Parkinson’s disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, nor has he provided any specialized training or scientific reports to support his claim. Therefore, the first element of service connection is not satisfied with respect to the ischemic heart disease claim.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to ischemic heart disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran’s hypertension was caused by his service-connected ischemic heart disease.,The Board finds that additional examination and opinion are necessary due to lack of a VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and residuals of spider bite on the right hand.,The Board finds that an additional VA examination is necessary as there is insufficient evidence showing a skin condition. The Veteran’s service treatment records indicate multiple instances of skin rash, but the March 2015 VA examination concluded he does not have any current skin condition.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), skin condition
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18127161
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 18127161.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
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