Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's combat experience in Vietnam is consistent with his symptoms. Service connection was denied for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service from June 2001 to May 2004 is considered active duty. Coronary artery disease and hypertension were demonstrated within one year following the Veteran's separation from service, thus establishing service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, effective March 16, 2011.

The Board granted service connection for heart disease, bronchitis, and sinusitis. The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ankle degenerative joint disease was denied. Service connection for hiatal hernia was also granted but with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, Bell's palsy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service but his hearing levels were normal at the time of separation.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, which are included in the list of diseases for which presumptive service connection may be granted based on herbicide exposure. However, there is no evidence that he served in Vietnam or had any duty ashore, thus precluding him from qualifying for presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for service-connected coronary artery disease has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied. His claim for a temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for treatment of his service-connected heart condition from September 1, 2002 is incomplete and requires further development.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for coronary artery disease from July 10, 2012 was granted to a 60 percent rating. His hypertension remains rated at noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical evidence and need for further development. The issues include headaches, COPD, and heart disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiomyopathy with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, posttraumatic stress disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy, are being reviewed to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart and lung disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and finds no evidence of hypertension being related to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability did not result from service and is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including verification of the appellant's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and residuals of cold injury to his lower extremities, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, including endocarditis resulting from an aortic root aneurysm and valve replacement, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The claim for left ankle and foot disability is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder were not incurred during service or related to any incident of service. As a result, service connection for these conditions was denied.