The Veteran's claim for service connection for Agent Orange exposure is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated as the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) and left index finger disability require further examination to determine appropriate ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has not provided evidence of a current disability related to Agent Orange exposure. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated as the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) and left index finger disability require further examination to determine appropriate ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Agent Orange exposure, Bilateral hearing loss, Tinnitus, Psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder), Left index finger disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19158538
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 19158538.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
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