Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and verify any exposure to herbicides or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease, is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) as there was no formal or informal claim prior to March 28, 2007. The Veteran did not file a service connection claim for heart disease prior to March 28, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and residuals of soft tissue sarcoma (bladder tumor) have been found to meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, and the case is remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for IHD remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and Parkinson's disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and no current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, IHD, and scars. The Board has jurisdiction to consider entitlement to a TDIU in this instance.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective February 12, 2007. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent remains pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as neither pneumonia nor coronary artery disease were shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran died from ischemic heart disease, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his service.

The Board finds that there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and his current heart disabilities, including CAD. The competent medical opinions do not support a finding of secondary aggravation.

The Veteran's effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is set at August 31, 2010. This decision also grants his claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. The Veteran is granted presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart condition (claimed as costochondritis/Tietze syndrome) that he experienced during his military service. The VA has ordered additional development to determine if the current condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent effective November 21, 2014. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and emphysema. The remaining issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, compensable rating for hearing loss, and TDIU are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease. The left shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.