The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was listed as 'undetermined' on his death certificate, is due to a combination of service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and exposure to Agent Orange. As arteriosclerotic heart disease is considered presumptively related to Agent Orange exposure, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinions provided evidence that the Veteran's atherosclerosis was likely due to Agent Orange exposure, and as it contributed to his death, he met the criteria for service connection under presumptive service connection for diseases associated with herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- borderline cardiomegaly with bilateral ventricle hypertrophy and dilation, atherosclerosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1402077
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1402077.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or related to any disease or injury in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to hypertension due to unclear herbicide exposure findings. The AOJ is required to properly develop toxic exposures under 38 U.S.C. § 1168.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection have not been decided.
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