Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service, including asbestos exposure. The residuals of his minor (left) third (long) finger felon do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart disabilities are not related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that it was not manifest during service or within one year after separation and could be shown to have arisen no earlier than July 22, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are not related to his service or exposure to herbicides in Thailand. As such, these claims for service connection must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and a temporary total disability rating following coronary angioplasty was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a temporary total disability rating were not met as there was no indication of severe postoperative residuals or one month of convalescence required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, numbness on the left side of his body, right leg disorder (including right knee), and left leg disorder (including below-the-knee amputation) are not related to service. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his active military service or due to his service-connected PTSD. The issue will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine whether he requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and aortic valve sclerosis, as these conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease, finding no basis under VA regulations or law to award such a date prior to February 20, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease, status post CABG due to lack of a prior claim before October 5, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a heart VA examination to determine the etiology of any current heart disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The Board found that the current evaluation of 30 percent adequately reflects his symptoms and impairment, as he is on continuous medication and has a left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50 percent.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no scientific or medical evidence linking it to the circumstances of his service. The Board has therefore denied service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand and whether this exposure is related to his current conditions.

The Board found that VA did not cause any additional disability to the Veteran's heart disorder or hypertensive vascular disease, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed psychiatric, heart, glaucoma, and hypertension disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation, hypertensive heart disease and ischemic heart disease, is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and an addendum opinion from the August 2012 examiner regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.