Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new evidence. However, it denied both claims for service connection for heart and right knee disabilities as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The appellant contends that diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and a massive stroke due to or as a consequence of a ruptured arteriovenous malformation were caused by Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the Veteran's current heart condition, its etiology, and whether it is related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and heart disability. The Veteran's statements were deemed insufficient to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disorder, heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or hypertension that was incurred in service. The Board also found no evidence of a right knee disorder that is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure, but denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory system disorder, including sinusitis, has been denied as there is no evidence of current sinusitis or any chronic respiratory condition related to his active duty. The claim for cardiovascular disorder, including atrial fibrillation, CAD with angina and left ventricular hypertrophy, remains pending.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The issue pertaining to his prostate cancer residuals has been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted in December 2010 with an effective date of August 31, 2010. The decision is based on the liberalizing law linking coronary artery disease to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed conditions and any potential service connection based on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and seeks evaluations in excess of the current ratings. The case is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as an SOC has not yet been issued.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a thorough review of his case.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and that prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are diseases associated with such exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of pneumonia or related conditions such as a weakened immune system, staph infection, and heart condition that are present in service or related to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was received on February 18, 2010. The effective date of the award is set at February 18, 2010 as it is not earlier than this date due to various legal criteria and the absence of a prior claim or pending claim before VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease, acute renal failure, and hypercoagulable state with anemia are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune during service.