Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, seeking addendum opinions from the July 2015 VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral foot disorders, heart disorder, and bilateral venous insufficiency, and addressing the Veteran's complaints of sciatica in the lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing herbicide exposure during his service aboard the USS Constellation, and thus, he is not entitled to the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disabilities (coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation) did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and thus are not presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that these conditions are not related to service. For his foot disability, the Board concluded that there is no evidence of a cold injury or current cold injury residuals, and found that degenerative joint disease is more likely due to normal aging rather than service. As such, service connection for both heart disabilities and foot disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service and no current symptoms related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected facial burn scars have been rated at 10% since February 11, 2008. The initial ratings for the other conditions remain unchanged.,Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease and residuals of an inguinal hernia, with no changes to their respective ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse resulted in occupational and social deficiencies, warranting a 70 percent rating. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development related to his claims of service connection, particularly regarding exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Guam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease and hypertension) are considered, but the claim is being remanded for additional development to determine if they render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected valvular heart disease, secondary to her service-connected hypertension, has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities since August 19, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, heart disability, and right knee disability. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied. As to TDIU, the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. Prior to December 28, 2015, the criteria for a higher evaluation were not met. From December 29, 2015, the criteria for a 60 percent evaluation have also not been met.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated the conditions that caused or contributed to his death, including ARDS, pneumonia, diabetes, and heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that the hypertension was less likely caused by or aggravated by the service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since November 30, 2011. Service connection for a heart disability secondary to PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, is denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The presumptive provisions do not apply due to the Veteran's offshore service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 1, 2005 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation. The propriety of reducing the evaluation of his CAD from 60 percent to 30 percent is also addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypothyroidism and a heart disability, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The heart disability is also found to be proximately due to or the result of the service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 22, 2012.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder with PTSD, which was initially rated as 30 percent disabling and later increased to 70 percent effective April 5, 2000, is granted. The effective date for the 70 percent rating remains April 5, 2000.