The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during service in Thailand, is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving at Udorn RTAFB and that his arteriosclerotic heart disease is presumed to be related to this exposure, contributing substantially to his death.
- Claimed conditions
- arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 11, 2022
- Citation
- A22020474
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 A22020474.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case to obtain missing medical records and a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. No one has requested substitution for the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date prior to March 16, 2021 for service connection of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and ratings for amputation of middle or lower thirds of the right leg and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The TDIU claim is also remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's death was due to severe occlusive coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents. The appellant filed a claim for DIC benefits within one year of the Veteran's death and was found eligible as a Nehmer class member. However, her remarriage in 2014 rendered her ineligible for recognition as the surviving spouse from that date onwards.
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