The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, lumbar strain, and tinnitus are all dismissed as they were granted with a final effective date of December 1, 2015.,The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is denied because new and material evidence has not been received.

The deciding factor: The February 1987 rating decision granting bilateral hearing loss was final. The Veteran did not appeal the effective date of August 20, 1986.,The January 2014 rating decision granting ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure with an effective date of February 13, 1998 is final. The Veteran did not file a timely NOD or submit new and material evidence within one year of the decision.,The December 1, 2015 grant of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities (right knee arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis), lumbar strain, and tinnitus was granted with an effective date based on receipt of claim. The Veteran did not file a prior claim or express intent to do so.,The February 2000 rating decision denying peripheral neuropathy as a result of Agent Orange exposure is final. New and material evidence has not been received since the denial in 2000.

Claimed conditions

Ischemic heart disease (IHD), Bilateral hearing loss, Right knee arthritis, Degenerative arthritis of the left knee, Lumbar strain, Tinnitus, Peripheral neuropathy as a result of Agent Orange exposure

How they argued it

Presumptive (no nexus needed)

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 16, 2020

Citation

20067163