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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,960 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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.