Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's death was caused by an acute myocardial infarction due to coronary heart disease, which is service-connected. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is mooted as the cause of death claim has been granted.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicides during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease in April 2004 and found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran's recent medical records do not relate his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is presumed to be incurred in service. The Veteran's hypertension claim remains pending as the RO/AMC needs to provide corrective VCAA notice and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, are denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury that would support service connection. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and the evidence does not show exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerosis and coronary artery disease, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's presence within the territorial borders of Vietnam was not established, and thus he did not qualify for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease did not render him unemployable prior to January 1, 2003. The Board found that the effective date for his TDIU should be set at January 1, 2003.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current coronary artery disease to his service, including a period of active duty in 1960-1962. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's heart condition is less likely related to his service and more likely due to other factors such as obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet, as well as bilateral pes planus, are not shown to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's CAD is also not shown to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, dyslipidemia, kidney disease (post transplant), coronary artery disease, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease and individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability. The evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7005 or 7006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been caused by his service in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The hypertension claim remains pending and requires additional medical examination for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in the Republic of Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus has contributed to his coronary artery disease, warranting secondary service connection.