The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) due to exposure to Project SHAD. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service exposure or a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,The Board noted that the Veteran served as an Airman at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii from September 1964 to June 1968, but did not participate in Project SHAD. The Department of Defense confirmed that no SHAD ships were involved in tests in 1966 or 1967.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease (CAD), type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19179661
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left foot bursitis and coronary artery disease, as well as special monthly compensation based on housebound status.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) effective June 1, 2021, and increased ratings for mid-sternum scar, left lower extremity (LLE) scar, and migraines to 10%, 20%, and 50% respectively, all effective October 26, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and entitlement to service connection for kidney disease with renal insufficiency, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII, for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing on a supplemental claim in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).
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