The Veteran's hyperthyroidism is granted as service-connected due to exposure to low iodine in the drinking water during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on combat experience and reported stressors. Depression secondary to coronary artery disease and PTSD is also granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Ischemic heart disease due to thyroid disability is presumed service-connected, but the Veteran's heart disability was not diagnosed by medical professionals during his lifetime. Secondary service connection for depression is granted.
The deciding factor: The November 2014 examiner provided a credible opinion linking the Veteran’s hyperthyroidism to environmental exposure of low iodine in the drinking water while serving in Vietnam, which was consistent with his reported service experience.,PTSD and depression are granted based on combat stressors and medical opinions supporting their connection to service-connected conditions.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Ischemic heart disease due to thyroid disability is presumed service-connected, with secondary service connection for depression being granted.
- Claimed conditions
- hyperthyroidism, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (presumed ischemic heart disease due to thyroid disability), depression (secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18144050
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 18144050.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- 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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