The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn for hemorrhoids, shortness of breath as the result of chemical exposure, and a compensable rating for scar, left ring finger. The hypertension claim has been reopened due to new evidence supporting its connection to service-connected conditions or Agent Orange exposure. The loss of use in the Veteran’s left arm is not due to a service connected disability. The claims for lumbar facet degenerative changes, carotid artery blockage, and scar on chest are remanded.
The deciding factor: The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran at his hearing. The hypertension claim was reopened based on new evidence supporting its connection to service or Agent Orange exposure. The loss of use in the left arm is not due to a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- hemorrhoids, shortness of breath as the result of chemical exposure, scar on chest, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder), carotid artery blockage
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19173004
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 19173004.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma but denied it for hypertension.
- 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.
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