The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand, which is not covered by the Vietnam Era presumption, credible. However, there is no affirmative evidence to rebut the presumption for these conditions. The respiratory disability, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and thyroid nodule are remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Korat Air Force Base in Thailand credible based on his testimony. However, there is no affirmative evidence to rebut the presumption of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, respiratory disability, atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, and sinoatrial node dysfunction with pacemaker, hypertension, thyroid nodule
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20047411
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 20047411.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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.