Service connection is granted for chloracne due to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is denied for umbilical hernia and abdominal pain.,Service connection is denied for low back disability, allergic rhinitis, ruptured lung status post staple correction with hemoptysis, heart disability (claimed as heart palpitations), facial skin cancer, colonic polyps, and hypertension.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has a current diagnosis of chloracne that is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service.,There is no evidence in the record showing an umbilical hernia or abdominal pain during service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's low back disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- chloracne, umbilical hernia, abdominal pain, low back disability, allergic rhinitis, ruptured lung status post staple correction with hemoptysis, heart disability (claimed as heart palpitations), facial skin cancer, colonic polyps, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19157165
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 19157165.
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
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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