The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and left elbow. The Veteran's claims for headaches, vertigo, gastrointestinal disorder, left elbow disorder, and right and left knee disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was at least equipoise evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of herbicide exposure during service, leading to presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer. The opinions from Dr. L supported a nexus between the Veteran's current knee and elbow disorders with his parachute training in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease, Prostate cancer, Degenerative joint disease of the right knee, Degenerative joint disease of the left knee, Degenerative joint disease of the left elbow
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1710968
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 1710968.
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 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is rated at 100% effective October 25, 2024. His prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60% effective October 25, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing in the year of 2021, leading to a decision granting annual clothing allowances for both knee braces.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for ischemic heart disease due to a failure by the AOJ to request SSA records, which were not available.
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