Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities based on lack of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran does not have current ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease, and the VA examiner found no evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, skin cancer, a compensable disability rating for dermatitis of the bilateral feet prior to November 14, 2014, and a TDIU prior to April 16, 2012.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding a higher initial rating for service-connected coronary artery disease prior to May 26, 2011, and service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The VA determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred during his military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 20, 2002 for service connection of coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure. The decision found that no claim was pending before VA on May 3, 1989 and thus did not meet the criteria for retroactive benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 3.816(c)(2).

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has tinnitus, but it is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings, earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was met as of July 26, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease is inextricably intertwined with another claim not currently before the Board. The case must be REMANDED to obtain additional records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board found that new evidence received since the May 2005 rating decision related to whether the Veteran's heart disability is service-connected. However, due to lack of exposure to herbicides and insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to service, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as the Board has determined that he was exposed to herbicides in-service and has a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, related to herbicide exposure, was granted a maximum (100%) initial rating from March 30, 1990. The earlier effective date claim for service connection is also granted.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current level of disability due to the passage of time since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft was granted retroactively effective from February 13, 2004. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is February 13, 2004.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) should be granted due to herbicide exposure in Korea. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.