Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension may be related to his diabetes mellitus, but further examination and evidence are needed to determine this.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, low back strain, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that he meets this criterion for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with bilateral radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset in service. The heart disorder and neck disability claims are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed to determine their relationship to service. Right and left foot disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by severe COPD, which is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides. The underlying cause of the fatal condition appears to have been ischemic heart disease, also presumed to be due to service. As a result, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease is granted, with the effective date set at January 24, 2005. The issue regarding recognition of K. M. P. as the helpless child of the Veteran is referred to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been resolved in full by the RO, which granted it effective September 8, 2007. As a result, the issue is no longer in appellate status and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder manifested by chest pain. The gastrointestinal and psychiatric issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and providing the Veteran with an examination to determine the etiology of his heart disorders.

The Veteran's heart conditions are being remanded for additional development, including an examination and opinion from a suitably qualified examiner to determine if they are related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition, which led to aortic insufficiency and valve replacement surgery, was not caused by inadequate VA medical treatment. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from June 1, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease is not related to service or his service-connected sarcoidosis, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The ratings for sarcoidosis and glaucoma are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as the RO did not issue a Statement of the Case addressing his notice of disagreement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or foot fungus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for hypertension remains pending as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The medical opinion regarding the relationship between his in-service cellulitis and current left knee condition will also be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because the additional disabilities he developed were not caused by VA's negligence or fault.

The Veteran's right foot condition is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease and stomach disorder are granted due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The Veteran's other claims for service connection have not been substantiated.