Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding it presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The claim for hypertension remains pending as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected panic disorder and a supplemental VA medical opinion on whether his coronary artery disease is secondary to his service-connected panic disorder. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a VA examination to assess his ability to secure and maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease status post bypass graft, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran had any cardiovascular disorders other than ischemic heart disease prior to August 1, 2012 and whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes. The VA will also request all outstanding medical records from August 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease (nonobstructive coronary artery disease) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins and his claimed cardiac disability. The case will be further evaluated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA opinion regarding his heart disability.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to adult respiratory distress syndrome, diabetes, renal disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The Board found that these conditions were not caused or substantially related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 1, 2006 to October 6, 2009.

Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, a prostate disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and left knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support these claims. Service connection was previously denied for tinea pedis in 1973, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected heart condition, associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, contributed to his death from a subdural hematoma caused by a fall due to dizziness. The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether this was the case and grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart conditions, including coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The hypertension is also found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or heart conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for hypertension, as secondary to service-connected CAD, MI, and heart transplantation. The Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for service connection for a heart disability. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran had noise exposure in service, which may be related to his current hearing loss, but no direct link was found between his heart disability and service or any other potential causes.

The Board found no evidence of ischemic heart disease or other heart condition due to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's arrhythmia was first diagnosed many years after service and is not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. His claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure, and the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.