Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2007, and at 60 percent from that date onwards. His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was initially rated at 20 percent prior to August 5, 2005, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease (IHD), was not shown to be etiologically related to his active service and did not find a nexus between his service-connected PTSD and his heart disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance is being remanded as additional examination is needed to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's heart disorder is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and his claudication of the right and left lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. Service connection for both conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,An effective date of March 31, 2010 was assigned for the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service, specifically between February 1, 1966 and March 31, 1966. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides and fibroid tumors.

The Veteran's heart disease, hypertension, and lung and respiratory disorders were not service-connected. The cause of death was due to septic shock with underlying causes of exacerbation of COPD.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service as a result of herbicide exposure. The Board has granted the claim for service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including amputation of both lower extremities and other disabilities such as posttraumatic stress disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, sarcoma of the nose, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, left upper extremity fragment wound with retained foreign body, buttock fragment wound with retained foreign body, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, diabetes mellitus, left wrist fragment wound, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus, have resulted in a need for higher level of care. The Veteran's condition necessitates the provision of daily personal health care services by a skilled provider without which he would require institutional care.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for heart disorder and has determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection as secondary to his service-connected hypertension disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed as part of the merits review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease and PTSD are related to his active service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, high cholesterol, enlarged prostate, and GERD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and therefore, his claims for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, multiple myeloma, and hypertension are denied as they are not presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and muscle or bone condition of the chest are not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The Board found that the VA medical opinions were insufficient and thus granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's causes of death, including heart and pulmonary disease, were proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and cold injury residuals. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability is currently evaluated as 60 percent disabling prior to February 13, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant a higher evaluation.