The Veteran's death was caused by hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and his exposure to herbicides during service at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB in Thailand has been established. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection for the cause of death was granted based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while stationed near the perimeter of Nakhon Phanom RTAFB during his service in Thailand, which placed him at risk for certain diseases including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1821278
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 1821278.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his conditions were not related to his military service and did not warrant a grant based on exposure to herbicides.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's cause of death, even if not related to toxic exposure, was related to hypertension incurred in service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of death, finding that the Veteran's end-stage chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea contributed substantially or materially to his death.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or medications for PTSD caused or contributed to his death from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.