The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and ischemic heart disease are granted as service-connected. Diabetes mellitus, type II and cataracts (secondary to diabetes mellitus) are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The claims of diabetes mellitus, type II and cataracts (secondary to diabetes mellitus) were not addressed due to the lack of evidence regarding radiation exposure, which is a necessary element for these claims. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and ischemic heart disease are granted as they meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- right ear hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, cataracts
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23004512
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 23004512.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for onychomycosis was denied as the condition did not require treatment and covered less than 5% of his body. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss, and the case is dismissed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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