The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure, and remanded the remaining issues related to heart conditions, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), sleep apnea, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychological disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service, which is presumed to cause coronary artery disease. The Board found that the evidence supports this exposure and granted service connection for coronary artery disease based on this presumption.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Degenerative disc disease, Residuals from back surgery, High cholesterol, Heart disability other than CAD (including congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, atrial fibrillation, atrial septal defect, implantable cardiac pacemaker), Hypertension, Cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), Peripheral neuropathy, Acquired psychological disability (adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, conversion disorder)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18145108
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 18145108.
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 Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent, but there are no incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating under the IVDS Formula. The TDIU claim is remanded.
- 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.
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