Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was a fall resulting in splenic rupture, is due to his service-connected right leg disabilities. The Board also found that the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition, but the claim remains denied as there is no established link between the current heart conditions and service or any already service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a neurologic disorder (to include Parkinson's disease), a headache disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and a heart disorder. The Veteran did not have any of these conditions during service or within one year after separation, and the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are associated with exposure to Agent Orange during service. As such, these conditions meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, but determined that the effective dates should be July 29, 1993 (for hypertension) and April 6, 2009 (for hypertensive heart disease). The Veteran's claims are considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records and SSA records. The claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions and the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to Agent Orange or other tactical herbicide agents within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not apply for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance within two years of receiving notification of his service connection. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran was mentally incompetent at any time relevant to this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error, and the Veteran's personal hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) or being housebound was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD caused or contributed to his death. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, which is present to a compensable degree and presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his ability to perform self-care functions, maintain independence in daily activities, and travel alone.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion to address the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are granted due to exposure to herbicides during his military service in Thailand. However, bladder cancer is not considered related to herbicide exposure or service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft is granted with an initial rating of 30 percent effective November 30, 2011. The other issues are not addressed as the appeal was not about service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for verification of herbicide exposure and an opinion on the etiology of his condition.

The Board has decided that further evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's heart disorder, including myocardial infarction, can be presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence showing that his claimed conditions were related to his military service or the service-connected gunshot wound disability.