The claim for service connection for mixed hyperlipidemia was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, anemia, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and psychiatric disability were granted due to in-service noise exposure during combat in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable, but his personnel records confirm he served in a combat zone in Vietnam. His lay statements about noise exposure during service are consistent with the nature of his combat service. The VA examiner did not address the Veteran’s reports of noise exposure and based their opinion solely on the absence of evidence in the record.
- Claimed conditions
- mixed hyperlipidemia, bilateral hearing loss disability, anemia, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disability, rheumatoid arthritis, psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013338
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 21013338.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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- Whole decision: Dismissed
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