The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have its onset during active service, warranting service connection.,Service connection is remanded for the left shoulder disability due to lack of an opinion addressing cumulative impact of parachute jumps.,Service connection is remanded for the right shoulder disability due to lack of an opinion addressing MOS duties as a supply specialist.,Service connection is remanded for the back disability due to in-service complaints and continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss due to conceded exposure to acoustic trauma during service.,Service connection is remanded for a respiratory condition (asthma) due to conceded herbicide agent exposure and/or service-connected PTSD.,Service connection is remanded for gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, and Barrett’s disease) due to lack of an opinion addressing herbicide agent exposure and/or chronicity or continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection is remanded for prostate disability due to conceded herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is remanded for skin disability (chloracne) due to lack of an opinion addressing herbicide agent exposure and/or flare-ups during hot weather.
The deciding factor: New evidence received more than one year since the January 1977 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for hypertension.,The Veteran’s statements regarding in-service acoustic trauma are credible, competent, and consistent with his military service. His tinnitus had its onset during service due to exposure to hazardous noise.,The VA examiner failed to address the cumulative impact of parachute jumps on the Veteran’s bilateral shoulder disability, warranting an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's in-service complaints of back pain and statements regarding continuous symptoms since service meet the low standard for a remand. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current back disability is related to service.,The Veteran's STRs show exposure to ionizing radiation, jet fuel, chemicals, and solvents, as well as herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. His respiratory condition may be related to these exposures.,The Veteran’s STRs indicate a history of high blood pressure prior to separation, and his private treatment records note a diagnosis of hypertension. Service connection for PTSD is also service-connected. A VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if his current hypertension is due to herbicide agent exposure or service-connected PTSD.,STRs show complaints of epigastric cramps/pain, nausea, and intermittent diarrhea. The Veteran's STRs note warts and chronic hives. An addendum opinion is needed to address the lack of continuity of symptoms since service.,The VA examiner found no evidence of a current skin disability but noted active flare-ups during hot weather. A VA examination should be scheduled during such an episode, if feasible.,Service connection for prostate disability is remanded due to conceded herbicide agent exposure and private treatment records indicating the Veteran's prostate tumor removal and treatment.,The Veteran’s STRs note warts and chronic hives. An addendum opinion is needed to address the lack of continuity of symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory condition (asthma), gastrointestinal disability (GERD, hiatal hernia, and Barrett’s disease), prostate disability, skin disability (chloracne)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19115545
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 19115545.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
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