The Veteran's previously denied skin disorder claim is reopened, and service connection for a lower back disability is granted. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.
The deciding factor: New evidence related the Veteran’s current skin disorder to presumed in-service Agent Orange exposure, reopening the claim. The lower back disabilities were not linked to service or post-service development of compensable degrees within one year of separation. Service connection for psychiatric disorders was denied due to lack of a DSM-5 compliant diagnosis and denial during VA examination. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet criteria for increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- skin disorder, lower back disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18129689
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 18129689.
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.
- 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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