The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn for hemorrhoids, shortness of breath as the result of chemical exposure, and a compensable rating for scar, left ring finger.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The deciding factor: The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran at his hearing.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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- 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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