Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his current coronary artery disease, which has worsened since his last examination in July 2012.

The Veteran's disability rating for coronary artery disease was reduced from 30% to 10%, effective December 1, 2011. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board found insufficient credible evidence to establish herbicide exposure or that the Veteran's duties placed him near the air base perimeter, and thus denied service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The claim for sinusitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for GERD is pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date prior to August 25, 2005, for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied. The RO granted a 30% disability rating effective from August 25, 2005.

The Veteran's right lower sensory deficit of the cutaneous nerve is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The appeal for corneal degeneration arcus senilis was withdrawn.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and finds that he is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange while serving on a ship in inland waterways of Vietnam. Therefore, his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to cardiac arrest, but there is no evidence of ischemic heart disease at the time of his death. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have heart disease related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's substantive appeal of the July 2011 rating decision which denied entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease was timely filed. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current cardiac disability, presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and thus grants his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disability, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to establish a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral leg condition is service-connected as secondary to his hypertension and CAD.,Prior to August 5, 2011, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his CAD. From December 1, 2011, he is not entitled to a higher rating.,The effective date for TDIU has been set at March 30, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea and heart disease. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including exposure to chemical fires and smoke during service in Southwest Asia. Additionally, the Board must prepare a SOC on the issue of entitlement to service connection for heart disease.

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

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo was a significant condition contributing to his death from acute large intracranial hemorrhage. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion to address the current functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, post-surgery, is currently rated at 60 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is diagnosed and linked to his service stressors, thus service connection for PTSD is granted. The other issues are not addressed as they do not pertain to service connection.