Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been diagnosed as an osteochondral lesion of the medial talar dome. His heart disability is currently under review, with a determination pending.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent since May 24, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined as the AOJ has not provided one.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted as it is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claims for higher evaluations of prostate cancer and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure, has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess his PTSD disability.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for ischemic heart disease from July 27, 2010 to October 17, 2011.,The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD from July 27, 2010 to October 17, 2011.

The Veteran's myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and stenting were assigned a staged initial rating of 30 percent from January 14, 2005 through August 21, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on METS level or ejection fraction findings.

The Veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disability was not manifested by chronic congestive heart failure, a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent from April 20, 1998 to November 22, 2003.

The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in proximity to the Korean DMZ during his service and granted service connection for ischemic heart disease based on this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and addendum opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, restless leg syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarctions, finding that the Veteran's presence in Vietnam is established and he was exposed to herbicides. The hypertension claim remains pending as it does not involve a service-connected condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an enlarged heart and ischemic heart disease, which he claims are related to his herbicide exposure during service. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's death certificate and medical records, including from his primary care physician. The expert opinion requested will address whether the Veteran's cold injury residuals could have caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's death was caused by his pre-existing conditions, not service-connected disabilities. The termination of the appellant's death pension benefits is proper due to her increased income.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it. The Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, diabetic retinopathy, and arthritis are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's DM and heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Don Muang, Thailand. Based on this exposure, his hypertension, stroke, ED, numbness in both hands, and numbness in both feet are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, asthma, panniculitis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus are not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and heart disability due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's heart disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to May 7, 2010. From May 7, 2010 to October 6, 2014, the disability was rated at 30 percent due to cardiac hypertrophy and dilation shown by echocardiogram.

The Veteran's heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are not shown to have onset during service or be related to herbicide exposure. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 12, 2014 was granted. The decision is based on the direct service connection of his conditions without any presumption or secondary theory.