The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions and hypertension disabilities are not enumerated diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure. The central matter in this case is whether either the Veteran's documented heart disease are manifestations of ischemic heart disease or he otherwise has ischemic heart disease.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's diagnosed non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions and hypertension were less likely than not incurred in or caused by service-connected ischemic heart disease or herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease, Atrial fibrillation, Premature ventricular contractions, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1520621
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1520621.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 claim for an initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 18, 2014, and a higher than 60 percent rating thereafter for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The examiner needs to provide more detailed information about the severity of his service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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