Citation Nr: 18146217
Decision Date: 10/31/18	Archive Date: 10/30/18

DOCKET NO. 11-16 214
DATE:	October 31, 2018
ORDER
Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) finds that service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran’s death based on the September 2018 expert medical opinion stating that the Veteran had coronary artery disease (CAD), which at least as likely as not contributed to cause the Veteran’s death.  The evidence also shows that the Veteran served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War era.  Accordingly, the Veteran’s CAD is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure.  The Board acknowledges the negative nexus opinions of record, but assigns them less probative weight because they do not reflect a complete review of the medical evidence and are not supported by as detailed explanations as is the September 2018 positive opinion.   
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.159, 3.303, 3.304, 3.307, 3.309(e), 3.312.
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served on active duty from December 1966 to September 1969, including service in Vietnam.  The Veteran died in January 2010.  The appellant is the Veteran’s surviving spouse. 
This matter is before the Board on appeal from an August 2010 rating decision.  In February 2013 and April 2016, the Board remanded this matter for further development.  In June 2018, the Board notified the appellant that the Veterans Law Judge who conducted the appellant’s January 2010 Board hearing is no longer with the Board and inquired if the appellant desired another hearing, which the appellant declined.  A transcript of the January 2010 hearing is associated with the claims file. 
Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. 
For the reasons outlined above, service connection for cause of death is granted.  

 
VICTORIA MOSHIASHWILI
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	N. Robinson, Associate Counsel