The Veteran's death was not initially service-connected, and the appellant did not appeal. The claim was reopened in 2015 due to new evidence showing ischemic heart disease as a presumptive condition for herbicide exposure. However, since the liberalizing law regarding ischemic heart disease was effective after the last final denial of the claim, the earliest possible effective date is March 17, 2014.
The deciding factor: The effective date cannot be earlier than one year prior to the date of receipt of the application for reopening due to the liberalizing law establishing ischemic heart disease as a presumptive condition for herbicide exposure in August 31, 2010.
- 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
- February 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23009356
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 23009356.
What this means for you
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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 claim for an initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 18, 2014, and a higher than 60 percent rating thereafter for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The examiner needs to provide more detailed information about the severity of his service-connected condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for ischemic heart disease due to a failure by the AOJ to request SSA records, which were not available.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, status post stent placement, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service.
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