Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and denied entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, lumbar strain with levoscoliosis prior to May 4, 2009, costochondritis (chest pain and shortness of breath), or hypertensive heart disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for an initial compensable evaluation and service connection can be adjudicated. The Veteran's service records, particularly those from his National Guard/Reserve service, need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely related to his exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Oklahoma City in waters off of South Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed coronary artery disease and mitral valve prolapse were not related to his active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication due to issues being intertwined, including a psychiatric disorder claim that was not previously adjudicated. The Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II are all potentially related to his PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's valvular heart disease is asymptomatic and does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, CAD as secondary to asthma, cellulitis of both legs, arthritis of both knees, and restless leg syndrome. The Board found no current chronic cellulitis of either leg, no current diagnosis of chronic asthma related to military service, and that CAD was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, headaches, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and cervical spine joint and disc disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as the December 1968 rating decision denying service connection due to pre-existing cardiomegaly was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from February 22, 2013 through February 26, 2013 were denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding his cardiovascular disabilities. The ischemic heart disease claim must also be perfected before both issues can be adjudicated together.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying whether the Veteran's partial aortic occlusion constitutes ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran claims service connection for a heart disorder, including coronary artery disease (CAD), on a presumptive basis due to his Vietnam service. The Board has ordered additional development as the current evidence does not support a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development. You will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if any benefit is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's stress related to his service-connected PTSD contributed to the development of this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand.