The Veteran's hypertension, hypothyroidism, gastritis and GERD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, right knee arthritis and shin splints have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.,Service connection for recurrent right shoulder disability (osteoarthritis) and recurrent left shoulder disability (osteoarthritis) is remanded as the evidence does not clearly establish their onset in service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions are presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Hypothyroidism, Gastritis and GERD, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Arthritis, Right Knee Arthritis and Shin Splints, Recurrent Right Shoulder Disability (Osteoarthritis), Recurrent Left Shoulder Disability (Osteoarthritis)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26014434
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 A26014434.
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.
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