Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to August 31, 2010 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as ischemic heart disease was added to the list of diseases subject to presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure effective August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted service connection based on exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The issues of PTSD and breathing problems are not addressed as the hearing transcript could not be produced.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and his scars are rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension was denied in May 1997. The effective date of the grant of service connection and assignment of a 100% disability evaluation is October 12, 2004.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss, heart disease, hypertension, vertigo, or lung disease manifested during active duty service or in the year after separation from active duty service; or is related to exposure to radiation during service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's heart condition has been rated at 30% since August 17, 2010. The Board found that the evidence does not show a higher rating for any period prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, heart disorder, right ear disability (otitis media and otitis externa), right hand disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Board has found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claims of PTSD, left knee condition, and heart condition.,The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety disorder related to his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition due to new evidence submitted since the June 2008 rating decision. However, the Board finds that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and his heart condition did not manifest during active service or within one year of separation from active service. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran's current heart condition to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam or had chronic symptoms related to these conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event, including a finding of a heart murmur in 1960. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying periods of service in the National Guard. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed AV block with catheterization is not related to his service-connected hypertensive heart disease and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposure claims, but the VA has not verified his exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The case is being remanded for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and providing a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused stress that led to his death.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's TDIU claim, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from participating in substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder are not related to his time in service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes and heart disorder are presumed to be related to his service due to herbicide exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.