Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

Your claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease in an earlier rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Osceola Regional Medical Center from August 17, 2014 to August 21, 2014 is denied as he has commercial insurance coverage that paid a portion of the costs.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disease is related to his military service, specifically exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, malaria, gout, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease (claimed as cardiovascular and cerebral vascular accident), finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA examination and private treatment records, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his heart disability.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and thus denied service connection for Type II diabetes. The Board also found no evidence of ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, and therefore denied service connection for that condition as well.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction in his disability evaluation from 60 percent to 30 percent was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show material improvement in his coronary artery disease, which would have been reasonably certain to be maintained under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal on June 24, 2015.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his presumed exposure to herbicides during military service, including ischemic heart disease. The decision is based on new evidence that supports a finding of herbicide exposure and links the cause of death to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease was denied as he did not file a prior claim before September 19, 2011.

The Board has awarded a 20 percent rating for hypertension effective from the date of the claim, and granted an increased rating to 60 percent for onychomycosis of the feet. The issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 12, 2014 for the grant of a 60 percent rating for contact dermatitis is deferred due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. The Veteran's eye condition is also being addressed as part of this remand.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accident as secondary to coronary artery disease effective from November 27, 1995. The appellant is also entitled to burial benefits in excess of $800.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The appeal is remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension with heart disease and PTSD. The Veteran's service records indicate in-country service in Vietnam, which is a presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative prior to any decision being made by the Board.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD. The claim of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for IHD and a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam, and the condition requires continuous medication.