The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) secondary to exposure to herbicide agents and the cause of death due to IHD. The Veteran was found to have been exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, leading to presumptive service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam is presumed based on historical evidence and top secret clearance, which led to service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD). The cause of death was determined to be the Veteran's long history of coronary heart disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD), Coronary artery disease, Ischemic cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080558
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 service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's coronary artery disease for all periods on appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; cervical spine radiculopathy, right upper extremity; coronary artery disease; and right ear hearing loss.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
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