The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand. The Board finds that the Veteran served near the perimeter of Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, triggering the presumption of service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service records confirm he was stationed at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB and flew over hostile territory during his active duty in Thailand. His duties as a Morse code interceptor placed him near the air base perimeter where herbicide agents were sprayed, triggering the presumption of service connection for ischemic heart disease (CAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Claimed conditions
- CAD, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1707435
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 1707435.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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