The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes, Parkinson's Disease and parkinsonism, ischemic heart disease (including CAD and angina), bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, macular degeneration, vitiligo, and a heart disability, other than ischemic heart disease have all been granted.,SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has also been granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service at Ubon RTAFB in Thailand. His diagnosed conditions are associated with this exposure, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.,The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is due to his multiple service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's Disease, parkinsonism, macular degeneration, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, congestive heart failure (CHF), atrial fibrillation (AFib), an implanted cardiac pacemaker, cardiomyopathy, and an implanted automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD).
- Claimed conditions
- type II diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, parkinsonism, ischemic heart disease (including CAD and angina), bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, macular degeneration, vitiligo, heart disability, other than ischemic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2021
- Citation
- A21017098
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 A21017098.
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 has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal for accrued benefits and has remanded the issue of service connection for cause of death, as there was a duty to assist error related to obtaining a medical nexus opinion regarding in-service herbicide agent exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective October 24, 2017. The attorney fees are eligible based on the past-due benefits awarded in the May 2021 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity and foot peripheral neuropathy, particularly in relation to herbicide agent exposure during service.
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