Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The primary basis for denial is that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's COPD was not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. Service connection for COPD is therefore denied.,The Veteran's CAD has been rated at 30 percent since November 20, 2009 and the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is not related to his military service, including any exposure therein. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital (CUMC) is denied as he does not have any established service-connected disabilities and the emergency treatment was not necessary due to his condition being stable enough for transfer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and chronic heart disease, including as due to radiation exposure during military service, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and increased ratings for PTSD and CAD are denied. The claim for TDIU is pending as additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent evaluation for his service-connected coronary artery disease from December 7, 2011 to May 14, 2014. Prior to this date, he was not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, and coronary artery disease are related to herbicide exposure during his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post angioplasty has been remanded due to incomplete development of his cardiovascular treatment records and the need for a VA cardiology examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected coronary atherosclerosis status post coronary artery bypass graft and post-operative sternal scar have been granted, with the latter being at a noncompensable level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 3, 2006 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to lack of evidence showing a disability arose before that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant can be substituted as the claimant for purposes of processing the Veteran's service connection claim for a heart disability. If substitution is granted, the AOJ will consider whether prior to the Veteran's death, service connection for a heart disability was warranted.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease prior to March 7, 2013 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has vacated the portion of its April 2012 decision that denied service connection for various disabilities, including a heart disorder, exposure to tuberculosis, right and left groin injuries, and foot disorders. The Veteran's request to withdraw issues related to these conditions is granted. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease have been rated based on their current manifestations, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in the Republic of Vietnam, which would entitle him to the presumption of exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for ischemic heart disease cannot be granted based on this theory.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a genitourinary or bladder disability for which service connection may be granted. The Veteran's claim for heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease and due to exposure to herbicides, was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, prostate disorder, skin disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, fibromyalgia, ischemic heart disease, and sleep disorder. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than a presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The hearing loss rating remains unchanged.