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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1402077.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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