Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found that there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in service, no chronic symptoms of these conditions during or immediately after service, and insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition including a tortuous pulmonary artery as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service. The current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a heart condition, and finds that there is at least an equipoise in favor of service connection. The Veteran's heart condition, including coronary artery disease, is found to be related to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis with reactive airway disease.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest and end stage coronary artery disease, which the VA does not consider to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, fatigue, respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depressive disorder, mood disorder), coronary artery disease, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability have been denied. The decision does not address the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for fatigue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records. A VA examination is also required to determine if these conditions had onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Korea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of heart disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and low back disorder. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses or disabilities related to his bilateral hands, knees, hips, chloracne, peripheral neuropathy, or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand, which is presumed to be linked to his development of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. As these conditions are presumptively related to herbicide exposure, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases regarding a September 2010 private cardiac catheterization report. The parties agreed that an additional medical opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not reporting for a scheduled videoconference hearing and issues with communication regarding his current address. The claims will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral eye disability has resulted in blurry left eye vision, with corrected visual acuity of 20/40 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left eye. The criteria for an increased rating have not been met.

The Veteran's Ischemic Heart Disease was evaluated at 10 percent prior to July 15, 2007 and at 30 percent from July 16, 2007. The Board found that the disability did not warrant higher evaluations for either period.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to allow for a Social and Industrial Survey, as well as consideration of the assignment of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and addressing the basis and rationale for the amendment to the Veteran's death certificate. The claim will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn. The claims to reopen service connection for gouty arthritis, hypertension, depression and anxiety, neck disorder, back disorder, right elbow disorder, and breathing disorder (including asthma and shortness of breath) have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification on an alleged stopover in Vietnam and further verification of herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection for cause of death is April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request at his July 2015 Board hearing.