Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy, is being remanded for additional development as the service connection theory involves presumptive exposure to burn pits. The issue of service connection remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service incurrence or exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer have been granted. However, his claim for hereditary hemochromatosis remains pending as he has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis or link it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease alone is not sufficiently severe to preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the METs levels and distinguishing the effects of coronary artery disease and COPD on METs testing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a copy of an affidavit from Mr. G.C., III.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active military service and are not related to inservice malaria or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease. However, the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not found to be related to his service-connected conditions or due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and/or ischemic heart disease contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not granted any effective date earlier than August 22, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder with depression, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also granted a 20 percent evaluation for the lumbar spine disability effective from February 21, 1995 to September 13, 2008.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to her service-connected hypothyroidism. The claim for secondary service connection based on hypertension and diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam, as well as the nature of any psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 30, 2005, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show that the Veteran intended to apply for compensation for a heart disorder prior to August 30, 2005.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus remain unresolved. The decision is mixed as some aspects are granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and for an additional VA examination. The Veteran's heart disorder is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral jungle rot of the feet, heart disorder (due to herbicide exposure), respiratory disorder, arthritis of the right hip, and arthritis of the left hip are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertensive heart disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his service-connected PTSD and CAD.