Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and whether coronary artery disease is secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease will also be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and denied his claims for service connection for a heart disorder as secondary to hypertension, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder is not service-connected, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with a 10% rating effective March 6, 2004. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as they have been referred back to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any identified gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has awarded a 100 percent rating for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) effective from December 18, 2007. The Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected CAD.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition that caused or contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's combined disability rating for service-connected conditions is at least 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for heart disease and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current heart condition is being considered as secondary to his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for psychiatric disorder and duodenal ulcer have been remanded. The Board also requested additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorders.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy), both of which are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current residuals of a stroke to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's heart disability and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation since October 6, 1998.,Prior to November 7, 2002, the Veteran was deemed employable given his full-time employment status.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease with typical angina episodes or diabetic nephropathy.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition and hypertension were not related to his active duty service or a pre-existing lung condition, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the service-connected malaria did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death. The underlying causes of his death, including ischemic heart disease and renal failure, were considered.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, CAD, glaucoma, kidney disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and sinusitis is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

PTSD with alcohol abuse and sleeping problems was initially rated as 50 percent disabling from March 30, 2007 to February 9, 2010. From February 10, 2010 forward, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of at least 70 percent.,Chronic myofascial strain of left trapezius muscle has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, status post circumflex stent angioplasty, is currently rated at 60 percent since June 30, 2009.