Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated as 100% disabling, but he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further development and an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and whether he currently suffers from a form of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, but denied service connection for sleep apnea and headaches due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease has not been shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent since June 20, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions and assigned a 20% evaluation effective from April 4, 2005. The effective date is not earlier than this as it was received on that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination records and development of his claim, including a new PTSD evaluation and consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to his right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, multiple arthralgias (joint pain), and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board finds that the appellant has failed to present evidence showing that VA's care or treatment caused or contributed significantly to the Veteran's death. The medical records indicate multiple health issues, including COPD and coronary artery disease, which were treated by VA prior to his death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have a permanent and total service-connected disability at the time of his death. The appellant is therefore not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and skin disease are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by moderately severe coronary arteriosclerosis, which is presumed to have been incurred due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, a spinal disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, medial epicondylitis, and colon polyps, were denied as the evidence did not show their onset during active military service or within an applicable presumptive period thereafter.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an organic heart disorder other than coronary artery disease, but denied a higher rating for asthma. The issues are considered 'mixed' as some aspects of both claims were granted and others were not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and his hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary effects. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Veteran's death was due to an accidental methadone overdose. His service-connected disabilities, including a left ankle sprain and major depressive disorder, did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or TDIU benefits at the time of his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since April 16, 2010. The rating reflects the need for continuous medication and evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition was granted, and the rating assigned is 100%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, initial ratings, and earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a video conference hearing.