The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including myocardial arrhythmia and ischemia due to coronary artery atherosclerosis. The Board also found that the Veteran likely had diabetes as a result of Agent Orange exposure during service, which contributed to his cardiovascular issues leading to his death.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran had diabetes caused by Agent Orange exposure and whether this diabetes contributed substantially or materially to his cardiovascular conditions resulting in his death.
- Claimed conditions
- Myocardial arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, coronary artery atherosclerosis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2009
- Citation
- 0916095
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 0916095.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a heart disability, to include hypertensive cardiovascular disease and myocardial ischemia, as the November 2023 VA examination is inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery atherosclerosis. The claim for service connection for CAD is pending, which may be considered as a contributory cause of death if granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery atherosclerosis due to herbicide exposure is granted based on the presumption of exposure in Thailand.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart conditions and their relationship to her service-connected disabilities, as well as obesity. The VA must obtain additional evidence and provide further examination.
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