Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's Sjögren's syndrome is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the current diagnoses of CAD and hypertension are not related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's CAD and hypertension were found to be unrelated to his service-connected PTSD, with the examiner noting that stress could induce heart disease but ruling out PTSD as a cause.

The Veteran was awarded compensation benefits for complications from a cardiac catheterization, including additional disabilities such as necrotizing fasciitis and diarrhea. He also received SMC based on his need for aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. He needs a VA examination to assess this.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and to obtain treatment records from Dr. Bagarinao.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to compensation for his heart condition, atelectasis of the left lung, GERD, and torn ligaments of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was received on June 10, 2010. The effective date of the award is set at the date of receipt of his claim due to the provisions governing earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left thigh muscle injury and bilateral foot disorders, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed injuries or conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disability. The appeal for service connection of the bilateral hip disability was not addressed as it is no longer on appeal due to the Court's remand.

The Board is unable to make a determination on the heart disability claim as there are conflicting opinions from medical professionals regarding its relationship to service and/or service-connected conditions. The Veteran's current heart condition may be related to his lumbar spine disability, but it is unclear if this aggravation occurred due to service or another factor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 9, 2007. TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for inferior myocardial infarction and hypertensive heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims are denied for an earlier effective date.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death in a motor vehicle accident. The appellant and her son claim that the Veteran's death was caused by side effects of medication for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 7, 2007 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board finds that no earlier effective date than June 7, 2007 is assignable due to lack of evidence indicating the Veteran's intent to establish service connection for coronary artery disease prior to this date.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was granted. The claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and cold exposure-related disabilities were denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

The Board finds that the effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease cannot be prior to September 29, 2004 as there are no documents or communications of record dated prior to this date that constitute a claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease post myocardial infarction and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective July 2, 2005. The Veteran's calcaneal spur of the right heel (claimed as tendonitis of the right heel) and right ankle disability were also found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's service records do not indicate any actual duty or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus cannot grant service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease based on such exposure.