The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Korea. Service connection is also granted for high cholesterol, but only as part of the already established service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.
The deciding factor: Ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) was found to be presumptively incurred due to exposure to herbicides during service in Korea. High cholesterol was not considered a separate disability for which service connection could be granted as it is part of the already established service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Disease (Ischemic Heart Disease - Coronary Artery Disease), High Cholesterol
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2011
- Citation
- 1109149
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 1109149.
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran has withdrawn the appeal, and there are no remaining allegations of errors for appellate consideration.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol has been denied as hyperlipidemia is not a ratable disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and high blood pressure are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering his lay statements regarding exposure to toxic substances during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck disability is also remanded as it requires an examination addressing his lay statements about lifting heavy equipment in service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of high cholesterol and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to lack of new and relevant evidence, and the current evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's in-service hypercholesteremia is causally related to his cardiopulmonary arrest and subsequent death. The VA will seek a medical opinion on this issue.
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