Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, which was rated at 60 percent disabling as of October 31, 2008, met the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance effective that date.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, ischemic heart disease, was not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus was denied as no evidence prior to July 22, 2009 could be construed as a formal or informal claim of entitlement to service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease is pending and will need to be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim, finding that her residential facility provides necessary custodial care and thus all unreimbursed fees paid to this facility are deductible medical expenses for the purpose of calculating her countable income towards nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease and neurocardiogenic syncope are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately following service. The current conditions were diagnosed after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) with stent placement is found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, as the claim was received more than one year after the effective date of a liberalizing law allowing presumptive service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating satisfaction with the assigned disability ratings for PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease and left leg shorter than right leg are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are being remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically the deck logs of the USS John R. Craig (DD-885) during April 1972.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy, finding that the evidence is in relative balance and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied the claim for ischemic heart disease due to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, schwannoma, Warthin's tumor, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, heart disease, and chronic myelogenous leukemia, all potentially related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, heart disability (IHD), and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability due to disease or injury in service that would support these claims.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to have been caused by his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including CAD, hypertension, and systolic heart failure, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is presumed to be a result of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.