The Veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis was dismissed. The petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis, a blood disorder, and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted based on exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The Veteran's prostate disability claim was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the submitted medical records did not provide a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis or establish a link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his in-service service or exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted based on evidence showing the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritis, chronic bronchitis, blood disorder (porphyria cutanea tarda), diabetes mellitus, type II, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19112869
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 19112869.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 3, 2023 onward, but denied higher ratings prior to that date. Service connection was also granted for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD with traumatic brain injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
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