The Veteran was granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as a result of herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.,Pancreatic cancer is not recognized as a presumptive disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for pancreatic cancer.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's direct exposure to herbicides may be conceded on a factual basis, and he was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand.,There is positive evidence regarding an association between hypertension and exposure to Agent Orange. The Board finds it reasonable to conclude that the record evidence supports a direct relationship between the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides and his subsequent development of hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Hypertension, Pancreatic Cancer, Bilateral Upper Extremity Neuropathy (secondary to diabetes), Bilateral Lower Extremity Neuropathy (secondary to diabetes), Erectile Dysfunction (secondary to diabetes)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2022
- Citation
- 22053200
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 22053200.
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 denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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.