Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran died from causes including cardiopulmonary arrest, sepsis, COPD, CFH, lung cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and hypothyroidism. The Board found no evidence of service connection for any disability and concluded that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his military service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's current disability picture in relation to his claims on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is found to have its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of COPD secondary to asbestos exposure and as a result of hypertensive heart disease remains unresolved, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale or opinion on this matter. Service connection for low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's rheumatic heart disease has been rated at 60 percent since September 20, 2006. A 100 percent rating was granted starting from April 4, 2012. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU prior to January 19, 2012.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher initial ratings for ischemic heart disease, status post acute myocardial infarction and post cardiac stent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure during his military service. The VA has not verified this exposure and needs to conduct further investigation before making a decision.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and records from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and follicular lymphoma were received after the effective dates of the regulations establishing presumptive service connection for these conditions. Therefore, earlier effective dates are not warranted.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for status-post excision of melanoma of middle-to-lower back was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. However, his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with angina is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands as a result of herbicide exposure. The case has been remanded to conduct further development including verifying herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in Korea and has current disabilities of diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The Board grants service connection for these conditions as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a left leg disability, and the right thigh shrapnel wound residuals are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease and lung cancer, both claimed as secondary to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to confirm the Veteran's presence in Vietnam during his active duty.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lower back, heart condition, and hypertension disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,There is no evidence of any current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, and femoropopliteal artery bypass graft due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The VA will need to verify if the Veteran served in Vietnam or Guam, and provide medical examinations to determine if any of these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 31, 2010 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The earliest effective date available as a matter of law is August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer has been granted and rated at 60 percent, effective January 1, 2014. The issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.