The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, DJD of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the cervical spine are granted service connection. Service connection for prostate cancer is also granted due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange during his Vietnam War service.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam, and his reported symptoms and medical records supported the diagnoses of acquired psychiatric conditions and DJD of the lumbar and cervical spines.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disability (including MDD and GAD), Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the cervical spine, Prostate cancer
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2023
- Citation
- 23060153
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 23060153.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is rated at 100% effective October 25, 2024. His prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% effective October 25, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and prostate cancer are granted service connection, with the latter requiring a VA examination to address exposure to burn pits.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear has been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and thus, cannot establish a link to service. For prostate cancer, the Veteran's claim is remanded as VA did not provide an opinion regarding whether his condition may be related to service due to toxic exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals prior to January 5, 2026 are rated at 10 percent. From January 5, 2026, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for his prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not compensable.
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