The Veteran's service connection claims for cardiovascular disorders, PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and prostate cancer have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of IHD or PTSD, but grants service connection for dysthymic disorder. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted as there is no evidence of deformity of the penis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cardiovascular disorders are presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and he has a current diagnosis of atherosclerosis (specifically peripheral vascular disease). However, his service treatment records do not show any diagnosis of IHD. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether PTSD was incurred during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- atherosclerosis (specifically peripheral vascular disease), IHD
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2018
- Citation
- 1820201
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1820201.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and heart surgery scar was granted with an effective date of May 29, 2013. The rating assigned is 60% for the heart disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's heart disability, characterized by a workload of 5.1 -7 METs resulting in fatigue during activities, warrants a 30 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or claim for CAD prior to September 13, 2018.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted a TDIU rating from July 9, 2016 to December 22, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, IHD, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus.
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