Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for Type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disability, both claimed due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran did not have documented service in the Republic of Vietnam, nor was he exposed to herbicides there. There is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including residuals of a myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability rating effective October 16, 2006. The other claims related to respiratory disorders, heart conditions, multiple arthralgias, and an undiagnosed illness characterized by fatigue, insomnia, and memory loss are still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, Graves disease, diabetes mellitus (claimed as secondary to Graves disease), heart disease (claimed as secondary to Graves disease), and residuals of injuries of the eyes, to include loss of vision. The reasons were that these conditions did not manifest during active service or are not related to any in-service event.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) were denied. The veteran was previously granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 25, 2006 and a 30 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for valvular heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral hands and feet, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, effective March 15, 2005. The earlier effective date claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy attributable to military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease was granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current hypertension and heart disease, including as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, heart disability, amputation of the right foot, and amputations of the left great toe and little toe. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for secondary service connection of CAD was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's non-obstructive coronary artery disease with hypertension and history of PVCs does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or aggravate his hypertension and coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of exposure to herbicides and asbestos in service, as well as VA examinations to determine the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of increased rating for PTSD, service connection for alcoholism, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are still pending.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's coronary artery disease was not shown to be proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim.