The Board denied service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) due to exposure to herbicides, finding that the Veteran's duties did not place him on or near the base perimeter where herbicide use occurred.
The deciding factor: The Veteran served as a corrosion control specialist at U-Tapao RTAFB and his duties were primarily related to aircraft and equipment maintenance outside of the flight line area, which is excluded from the M21 provisions for exposure to herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- 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
- June 14, 2022
- Citation
- 22034728
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 22034728.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was granted a 30% disability rating effective August 31, 2010. The condition manifested as cardiac hypertrophy and a workload of greater than 5.0 but less than 7.0 METs without congestive heart failure or LVEF of 50 percent or less.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic), and diabetes mellitus Type 2, combine to result in physical or mental impairment that renders him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person. However, the need for aid and attendance must be determined without considering nonservice-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of April 12, 2022, but no earlier, for service connection of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (RLPAD), Left Foot Little and Third Toe Amputation, Left Foot Great Toe Amputation, and Left Lower Extremity Residual Surgical Scars.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence not previously considered.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.