Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 10 percent from April 12, 2002 to November 14, 2003 and at 30 percent thereafter.,Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is granted from April 12, 2002 to April 14, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is found to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran does not have a prostate disability, and his current enlarged prostate condition did not manifest until after separation from service. Peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not diagnosed or noted in service records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's duties placed him on or near the perimeter of the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, and therefore he was exposed to herbicides. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his active duty service or any period of training in the Naval Reserve, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for various disabilities and service connection for other conditions remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a major depressive disorder and PTSD was reopened, but the claims for hypertension, CAD, left ventricular dysfunction/congestive heart failure, ulcers, COPD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, right foot calluses and corns, and left foot calluses and corns were all denied. The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence following May 2012 right foot surgery was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or atrial fibrillation, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer, which was service-connected due to presumed Agent Orange exposure, contributed substantially or materially to his death from multiple-organ system failure. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied.,No effective date has been assigned as the claims are still pending.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The evidence submitted supports a finding that the Veteran's death was caused by or aggravated by CAD, which is presumptively associated with herbicide exposure due to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of prostrating attacks. The claim for service connection for a heart condition was also denied due to lack of competent evidence of current disability.