The Veteran's cause of death was cardiac arrest due to chronic hypertension. The appellant contends the Veteran traveled to Vietnam and was presumptively exposed to Agent Orange, which would make his coronary artery disease service-connected. However, the Board found that the USS Constellation did not traverse within 12 nautical miles of Vietnamese waters during the Veteran's deployment.
The deciding factor: The USS Constellation did not deploy within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam at any point during the Veteran's deployment, which is required for presumptive service connection under Agent Orange exposure regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Chronic hypertension
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2021
- Citation
- 21073063
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21073063.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's current coronary artery disease with acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction with coronary stent is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a medical nexus between his service-connected hypertension and his heart condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.
- Denied
The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims, taking into consideration all submitted evidence.
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