Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow epicondylitis and denied service connection for a heart disorder. The Veteran's right elbow condition is found to be related to his military service, while the evidence does not support a finding of a current heart disorder.

The Veteran's heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease and hypertension, has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since the appeal period began. The current evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart condition did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for service connection for a heart condition/disease is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertensive heart disease have been granted, but the rating for hypertensive heart disease remains at 30 percent. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran claims service connection for coronary artery disease, which he attributes to exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish a link between his current condition and service, particularly given the lack of documentation of exposure to Agent Orange at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, evaluated at 60 percent disabling prior to May 2, 2011, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD with sick sinus syndrome and pacemaker implant has been rated at 30 percent since May 28, 2010. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and depression as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's heart disease was not related to his near drowning episode in service, but is due to smoking history. His COPD is also due to smoking history. The Board found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease and prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his active duty service. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange, effective from March 13, 2009. The decision also notes that the effective date is based on the liberalizing law and not earlier.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's death did not occur prior to October 22, 2005 and his service-connected disabilities were not rated as 100% disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, the appellant is denied accrued benefits and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits at the enhanced rate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete private and VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and conducting new VA examinations to assess the severity of his coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's GERD is related to NSAIDs taken for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board denied the claim for a heart disability, finding no current evidence of such condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease is restored from June 4, 2013 to December 3, 2015, and the TDIU effective date is set at September 21, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a heart disability (coronary artery disease) based on presumptive exposure to herbicides due to service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted. The remaining issues are addressed in the remand section.