Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including tremors of the feet, hands, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, adrenal gland disability, renal disability, hypertension, heart disease, lung cancer, and pes planus, were not incurred in service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which was presumed to have been caused by his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is currently service-connected as secondary to his PTSD, meets the criteria for service connection. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and assigned an initial 70 percent rating, effective August 14, 2011. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause his death, as other significant conditions contributing to death were found.

The Board found that the Veteran's systolic heart murmur was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease have rendered him unemployable since December 26, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 30 percent prior to May 22, 2008 and after August 18, 2009. From May 22, 2008 to August 18, 2009, the condition improved to a 60 percent rating.,The Veteran's condition has fluctuated over time with periods of improvement and worsening.

The Veteran's service connection claims for heart and bladder conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his in-service appendectomy. The residual scar from the appendectomy has been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disease and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an initial compensable rating for carotid arterial sclerosis was also denied.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions were listed as immediate or underlying causes of death. The evidence did not support a grant of service connection for the cause of death due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since October 8, 2004. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his condition is currently controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents and/or insulin (as of May 2011) and must adhere to a restricted diet.,Prior to September 13, 2011, the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his condition is currently controlled with medication and exercise recommendations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's timely notice of disagreement with the July 2010 rating decision has been acknowledged, and his claims for service connection are now considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records from the Dallas VAMC and Battle Creek VAMC, as well as treatment reports. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder other than coronary artery disease and essential hypertension is pending.

The Veteran's cause of death, pneumonia, was not service-connected. His atherosclerotic heart disease, also contributing to his death, was also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied. The claims for increased ratings for various lower extremity conditions are also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 was not related to service or his deviated septum, and denied all issues regarding secondary service connection. The heart disorder issue is pending as it has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing and issuance of a statement of the case on his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease.