The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a spleen disability. Service connection was granted for sarcoidosis, hypertension, depressive disorder, pituitary gland tumor, diabetes insipidus, fatigue disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's presence in Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents during service were established through credible evidence, including his own testimony, pay records, military documents, and statements from family members. Hypertension was found to be related to sarcoidosis as a result of herbicide agent exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- spleen disability, sarcoidosis, hypertension, depressive disorder, pituitary gland tumor, diabetes insipidus, fatigue disability, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21000119
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 21000119.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
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