Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities (PTSD and CAD) prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 60 percent rating from August 31, 2010 to November 21, 2012. Since then, the condition has been rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's rheumatic fever with valvular heart disease, status post mitral valve replacement is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating. The evidence does not indicate active rheumatic fever and the residuals are rated under the appropriate system.

The Board denied reopening claims for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, as well as service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and numbness of the fingers. The Veteran's appeal was not successful in these matters.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's capacity to obtain and maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The issues of service connection for residuals of stroke and hypertension are also referred.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reopening of service connection claims for various conditions, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, due to herbicide exposure. The appeal was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure, but not earlier than December 23, 2009. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for prostate cancer remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus Type II render him unemployable due to exertive limitations, and the Board finds that these conditions meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation benefits for dependents was granted as May 30, 2006 due to the establishment of a higher disability rating and service connection for certain conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide agents, and his claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse for the purpose of receiving VA compensation and/or pension benefits.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed to determine if the Veteran had ischemic heart disease prior to his death in April 2010, which would be required for retroactive benefits under Nehmer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether his heart conditions are caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and a heart disorder due to new evidence received since the May 2009 rating decision. However, the claims are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to active service or exposure to dioxin-based herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.