Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Remanded (sent back)

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of both hips was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base. Arteriosclerotic heart disease is also linked to exposure to toxic chemicals.,The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base.

The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not find a current disability in the February 2012 examination and concluded that osteoarthritis of both hips is more likely due to aging. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base.

Claimed conditions
Osteoarthritis of both hips, Respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis), Arteriosclerotic heart disease
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
December 26, 2018
Citation
18160312

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 18160312.

What this means for you

A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.