Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as providing new examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability and has also granted an initial evaluation of 30% for his heart disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral foot disorder, an eye condition other than dry eyes, and dry skin were granted. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for hypertensive heart disease was denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral dry eyes and low back disorder were also determined.

The Veteran's heart disease, including hypertension and CAD, was not shown to have been present in military service or many years thereafter.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder has not been shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's excision of anal fissure and hemorrhoidectomy is not productive of occasional involuntary bowel movements, necessitating the use of a pad.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his income exceeds the poverty threshold and he is capable of performing light-duty employment.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no valid diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Korea. The effective date of the grant of service connection for CAD is set at August 31, 2010, which is when ischemic heart disease was added to the list of diseases recognized as being related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for CAD has been denied.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, coronary artery disease, stomach problems, and a skin disorder, all of which were found to be less likely as not caused by or related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disabilities, including as due to herbicide exposure. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The appellant filed her claim for service connection on October 22, 2009, and the effective date of this award is set at the later of when she submitted her claim or the date of her death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected coronary heart disease and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass stents, has been rated at 60 percent since February 12, 2014. This rating is based on the evidence showing a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathy, are being remanded for additional development as the current VA examination is insufficient to adjudicate the claim on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and his Parkinson's disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease are related to such exposure. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and tension headache disorder are service-connected. The heart disability, throat disability, and back disability claims have been denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a heart disability are remanded due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of scheduled hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, and the Veteran must be given an opportunity for such a hearing.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing. The case is being remanded for further consideration.