The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) due to herbicide exposure, as the Veteran served in or near the DMZ during his service in Korea from June 1971 to August 1971. The claim is presumed under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.307 and § 3.309(e).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's assertions that he served in or near the DMZ during his service in Korea from June 1971 to August 1971, were found credible based on his assigned duties as an Atomic Demolition Specialist and a member of the Decontamination Team, his various lay statements of record, and the corroborating statements from his former fellow serviceman (L.A.).
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2022
- Citation
- 22011273
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 22011273.
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 determined that the Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance. The examiner will assess whether he requires assistance with daily activities, dressing, feeding, hygiene, mobility, and confinement.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is granted, as he was exposed to Agent Orange during his time at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right great toe injury, dermatitis, bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as additional evidence was received prior to certification and transfer to the Board.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition, as there was no evidence of their onset in-service or within one year following separation from service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent.
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