Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease and erectile dysfunction, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The claim has been remanded due to the need for further verification regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicides during active air service at Korat.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or diabetes mellitus. The heart disorder is not considered secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not present in service or until many years thereafter, and there is no competent probative evidence of a causal connection between the claimed disability and military service or any incident therein, to include any exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension caused or aggravated his current coronary artery disease. The claim is now pending again for further review.

The Veteran's death was caused by arteriosclerotic heart disease, with hepatitis C contributing to his death. The Board found that the service-connected hepatitis in 1973 is at least as likely as not related to the hepatitis C on his death certificate and contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's initial rating for asbestosis and lung cancer was denied, with a current effective date of August 29, 2008. The VA found that the Veteran's Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) has been at least 68 percent of predicted; his Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV-1) has been at least 59 percent of predicted; and his FEV-1/FVC has been at least 61 percent. The VA also found that Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) has been at least 81.7 percent of predicted, which meets the criteria for a 30% rating under the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, heart disability, and hepatitis C have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for tension headaches and additional compensation for coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, a heart disorder including a murmur, and a bilateral foot disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myocardial infarction status post bypass surgery, to include coronary artery disease was granted by the RO in August 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, post myocardial infarction is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is needed to determine if the appellant's heart condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as heart disease, due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and seeks increased ratings for various conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his PVD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts.