Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post CABG, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 4, 2000. From August 4, 2000, to December 6, 2000, the rating was increased to 60 percent. From December 6, 2000, to March 24, 2014, the rating remained at 30 percent. Since March 24, 2014, the Veteran is rated at 100 percent for his coronary artery disease, status post CABG.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PVD of the bilateral lower extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2013.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for organic heart disease and HIV infection/AIDS, as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's PTSD claim is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is productive of left ventricular dysfunction with an injection fraction (LVEF) judged, at worst, to be 50 percent. The Board has determined that the clinical signs and manifestations associated with the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease warrant a 60 percent schedular rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder was permanently aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder with an anxiety disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The case is being remanded for additional development of medical records and the provision of a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis. The TDIU claim also needs to be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a heart disability rated at 60 percent and other conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, including his exposure to asbestos. The cause of death listed on the amended death certificate (COPD) is not related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, has been denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or causation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease was denied. For the period prior to November 22, 2010, he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. For the period beginning on November 22, 2010, his condition met the criteria for a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to consider the impact of his bilateral hearing loss on his employability.

The Board has ordered a remand due to unresolved medical questions regarding the cause of death, including whether service-connected conditions contributed or caused the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, and heart condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need to verify his alleged exposure at Camp Pendleton.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 31, 2011 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as his claim was not received within one year of when ischemic heart disease was added to the list of presumptive disabilities due to Agent Orange exposure.