Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board granted an effective date of February 23, 2005 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease and a higher initial disability rating for the period prior to August 12, 2010.

The Veteran claims service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he asserts is due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further investigation into the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure and participation in operations involving disembarkment from the U.S.S. Princeton to Vietnam is necessary before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction from June 1, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating. The Veteran also failed to meet the requirements for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate after June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his surviving spouse is denied DIC benefits.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss or an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease and aortic stenosis with mitral regurgitation were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease (CAD). The issues of service connection for neurological, psychiatric, and endocrine conditions are withdrawn from appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a heart disability or hypertension incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain private medical records and VA treatment records, as well as to review the claims file for any errors in adjudication. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scarlet fever residuals and a heart condition, to include as secondary to scarlet fever residuals, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam. As the cause of death is service-connected, no benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are warranted.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current tinnitus developed as a result of his active service. Service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and coronary artery disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,However, the cervical spine disability is considered to have had its onset during service.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and heart disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board denied service connection for postoperative residuals of nasopharyngeal cancer and coronary artery disease with hypertension, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange was not considered due to lack of evidence of service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected hypertensive heart disease and whether a left hand disability is related to service or any other condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including adjudicating whether a debt of $14,717.00 is valid and readjudicating the waiver claim in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and gastrointestinal disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.