The Board granted service connection for hypertension and congestive heart failure, but denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The deciding factor: The evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service on a direct basis, and there is a nexus between his congestive heart failure and his service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus. However, the evidence does not support a connection between any current gastrointestinal disability and the Veteran's period of active service.

Claimed conditions

hypertension, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal disorder (chronic pancreatitis, gastritis, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD))

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 4, 2025

Citation

25003061

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