Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and a depressive disorder, was denied. The claims for hypertension, Alzheimer's disease (claimed as dementia), ischemic heart disease, and SMC based on aid and attendance were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, to include congestive heart failure, and a respiratory disorder other than pulmonary asbestosis. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease, to include entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's sole service-connected disability prior to March 12, 2012 was coronary artery disease (CAD), rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the CAD did not render him incapable of participating in substantially gainful employment and denied his claim for TDIU rating prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of pneumonia present in service or related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 3, 2009 for the grant of service connection and a 60 percent rating for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) / Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The earlier effective dates were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease associated with hypertension is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the relationship between arteriosclerosis and later diagnosed coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure, has been denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service and the medical evidence does not support a finding that his current heart disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for additional medical examination. The appellant's claims for service connection for heart disease and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's heart disease is being reviewed for accrued benefits purposes. The claim will be remanded to obtain VA hospitalization records from June 2007 to November 2007, as these may contain relevant information regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its relationship to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure while serving aboard the USS Coral Sea in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing direct causation or a link between his current condition and his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, ischemic heart disease (IHD), depressive disorder, tinnitus, and residuals of shrapnel fragment wounds to both legs, have rendered him unemployable due solely to these conditions. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and medical inquiry into the Veteran's claims to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and a skin disorder on the feet. The Veteran served in Vietnam during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ventricular hypertrophy (hypertensive heart disease) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for hyperlipidemia is remanded due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied as the earliest possible effective date is August 31, 2010 due to it being a presumptively service-connected condition under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service connected as they do not have a direct relationship to his military service. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and the current diagnoses were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his obstructive coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarctions and stenting (ACE).

The Veteran was granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, a covered herbicide-related condition, effective September 13, 2010. The claimant seeks an earlier effective date based on the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic heart disease prior to this decision.