The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, and abdominal aortic aneurism have been granted. Claims for colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, and emphysema are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims were at least in equipoise for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, abdominal aortic aneurism, colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, and emphysema due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, abdominal aortic aneurism, colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, emphysema
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19187731
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal regarding the Veteran's entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for atrial fibrillation is remanded due to unclear evidence on whether continuous medication is required for its control.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's respiratory condition and his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus to obtain further medical opinions regarding their potential relationship to toxic exposures during active service.
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