Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease, finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The claims for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a heart disorder and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and clarification of the nature and etiology of any hearing loss or heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, and there is no evidence linking any of his claimed conditions to military service or to any incident therein. As such, service connection for all claims is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction are service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service. The peripheral neuropathy claim is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran was capable of sedentary employment prior to March 16, 2011 and denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected ischemic heart disease and glaucoma were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorders are not related to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, nephropathy with voiding dysfunction, neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other service connection criteria met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a pathologist's review of the Veteran's death, and providing an opinion on the causes of his death.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate are being remanded due to new evidence of a material change in his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II are related to his service in Vietnam due to exposure to Agent Orange. The conditions have been granted as presumptively connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examination opinions. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension have been rated at the maximum schedular ratings available. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition during any portion of the claims period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently-diagnosed coronary artery disease with residuals of aortic valve damage did not manifest during service or within one year after separation, and is not otherwise attributable to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for ischemic heart disease was denied, as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with communication and obtaining medical records. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which may be related to his exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, early hypertensive heart disease, and right bundle branch block are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition did not have their onset during active service or any period of ACDUTRA, and are not related to such. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.