The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for hypertension is also granted, with the presumption of association with herbicide exposure.,Service connection for stroke with residual paralysis of the left side of the body was remanded due to insufficient information regarding a potential nexus between the condition and service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for bilateral eye disability was reopened because new evidence, including VA treatment records from within one year of the January 2015 rating decision, indicated the presence of a current disability (dry eyes) that may be related to his active duty service. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for hypertension is also granted due to presumed association with herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Eye Disability, Heart Disability (Ischemic Heart Disease), Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2024
- Citation
- 24016959
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 24016959.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.