The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The case is remanded for a new examination to determine the etiology of any current bilateral shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand was conceded, allowing for presumptive service connection based on his reported proximity to the perimeter fence where he worked as an AC-130 aircraft mechanic.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, strain and arthritis, right shoulder, strain and arthritis, left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- April 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20023047
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 20023047.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Granted
The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as presumptively related to his service in the Gulf War, specifically aboard the USS Chanticleer and USS Mataco.
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