The Veteran's cause of death, refractory ventricular and ischemic cardiomyopathy, is found to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for the cause of death is granted. However, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied as the Veteran did not meet the eligibility requirements.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease was caused by exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus granted service connection for the cause of death on a presumptive basis. However, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were denied as the Veteran did not meet the eligibility requirements.
- Claimed conditions
- refractory ventricular and ischemic cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20040122
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 20040122.
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.
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The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
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- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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