Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that a heart disorder was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service, including as secondary to service-connected residuals of a cold injury with Raynaud's phenomenon of the left and right hands.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hepatitis C due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Germany.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at 60 percent, effective February 18, 2015. The Veteran also has a separate 0 percent disability rating for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims. The issues of left leg radiculopathy secondary to back disorder, hypertension, vitiligo, kidney condition, hyperthyroidism (hypercholesterolemia), cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, stomach condition, tinnitus, and service connection on the merits were also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diagnosed ischemic heart disease and denied service connection for heart disease. The hypertension claim was also denied as it is not secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service treatment. The claim for an increased rating for kidney cyst removal is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as he did not file a formal or informal application prior to January 19, 2006.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disorder, but additional development is required due to missing treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's nasal deformity, diagnosed as deviated nasal septum, had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability caused his hypertension, and he has heart disease attributable to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a heart disability, and thus the case is being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional information regarding his employment history and a separate claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease. The issue of TDIU will be reconsidered after these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, presumed due to herbicide exposure in service, contributed substantially to his cause of death (cardiopulmonary arrest). The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this finding and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and heart disability, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease, are service-connected. The decision grants these claims.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for coronary artery disease and service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran received non-VA medical care for coronary artery disease from July 8, 2012 to July 11, 2012. The Board found that the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 were met and granted payment or reimbursement of the costs.