Service connection for hypothyroidism is granted due to herbicide agent exposure in service.,An initial rating of 60 percent, but no greater, is granted for kidney disease based on GFR readings from March and October 2023.,Service connection for GERD is remanded as the evidence does not support a finding that it is due to kidney impairment.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to kidney disease is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for hyperthyroidism is remanded as the opinion did not address herbicide agent exposure.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypothyroidism and service in Vietnam meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a)(2) and 38 C.F.R. § 309(e).,The evidence supports a GFR reading from March 2023 that meets the criteria for a 60 percent rating.,Private medical records indicate GERD, but VA examinations concluded there is no GERD without addressing private medical evidence to the contrary.,VA opinions on sleep apnea were conflicting and did not address whether it was aggravated by kidney disease or pre-existed service.,The opinion on hyperthyroidism did not consider herbicide agent exposure as a potential cause.
- Claimed conditions
- hypothyroidism, kidney disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2024
- Citation
- A24025443
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 A24025443.
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 sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
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