The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM and ischemic heart disease, including CAD, due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB and thus is presumed to have been exposed. Service connection is granted for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records show he served near the perimeter of U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, where herbicides were used. His current diagnoses of DM and ischemic heart disease are related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- DM (Diabetes Mellitus), Ischemic Heart Disease (CAD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1639039
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 1639039.
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.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 5, 2017.
- Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with DM as a contributing condition. Service connection for the cause of death is granted due to herbicide exposure. Accrued benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection remain in remand status and require further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to service-connected DM and resulting residuals from a common etiology are granted, effective March 10, 2021.
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