Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis B and associated disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, back disability (including arthritis), left knee disability (including arthritis), and right knee disability (including arthritis) were denied. Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease with a 60% rating, PTSD with a 50% rating, diabetes mellitus type II with a 20% rating, and chest scar with a 10% rating from April 24, 2013.

The Veteran's current coronary artery disease is presumed to be service-connected due to exposure in the Republic of Vietnam, and he has a diagnosis that qualifies as ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination of his service-connected coronary artery disease and additional VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a heart disorder or sinusitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete personnel records and verifying herbicide exposure. The case will be reviewed after this information is obtained.

The Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease at the time of his July 1996 claim, and thus retroactive benefits are denied.

The Veteran's cause of death included respiratory disorders, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The Board found no in-service injury or disease resulting in permanent disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The cervical spine disability may be related to his military service, but an addendum opinion is needed to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to heart disease, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appellant seeks retroactive benefits for the cause of death prior to September 1, 2009, but the effective date is set at September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung and heart disabilities, as well as several other conditions, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service, nor any competent medical opinion linking them to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep difficulties (nightmares) has been dismissed as the claim was resolved in a September 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a combined effects medical examination and opinion. The current evidence does not support his claim of unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining his OMPF and seeking additional medical records. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed heart disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), is denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, which is also the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his alleged exposure to herbicides at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand and to obtain his complete service records. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer are granted as they are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange.