Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 30 percent since July 11, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The effective dates are set based on the earliest date of claim and the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to his in-service herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, and his death from cardiovascular disease (diagnosed as ischemic heart disease) is presumed to be related to this exposure. Therefore, the appeal for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not establish herbicide exposure. The cause of death was attributed to aspiration pneumonia, with underlying causes including hypertension-related cardiovascular disease. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a link to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and he did not have qualifying service. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits is denied. The appellant does not qualify for survivor's pension or accrued benefits as there were no compensation claims due at the time of his death.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected, and his coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all pertinent records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with a rating or effective date as his claims were all reopened.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is etiologically related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart and psychiatric disabilities are being reviewed for possible service connection as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The bilateral leg disability, left inguinal hernia, and increased rating for the right inguinal hernia are also under review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 14, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential exposure to toxins on Guam and the cause of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of claims for heart condition and stomach disability, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's heart disability, including arrhythmia, is service connected and rated at 100% since April 15, 2013. The claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to December 3, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was not shown to be completely disabling from February 1, 1987 until August 22, 1997. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and social and industrial survey.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.