The claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, has been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s cause of death (aortic valve stenosis and COPD) to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided did not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's cause of death and his active duty service, including any potential link to herbicide agent exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Aortic valve stenosis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), End stage renal failure, Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20048940
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 20048940.
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- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any principal or contributory cause of his death to his service.
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