Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder manifested by chest pains, related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service in Thailand, is denied as there is no diagnosed current heart disability.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction and stenting, is currently rated at 60 percent disabling since January 4, 2016. The evidence shows that the Veteran has a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; and left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 50 percent.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disorder, effective from March 31, 2015. The decision also found service connection for right leg radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability to which his hypertension and/or heart conditions may be related, and the evidence is against a finding of a causal relationship between these disabilities and active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death, which occurred due to cardiac arrest caused by arteriosclerotic heart disease. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the service-connected PTSD contributed to the cause of death and grants DIC based on service connection for the cause of death. As this provides a greater benefit than nonservice-connected death pension, the claim for pension benefits is dismissed.

The Veteran's CAD symptoms have been characterized by left ventricular ejection fractions of 45-75%, METs levels of more than 3-7, and cardiac hypertrophy. The VA has determined that the criteria for a rating of 60 percent but no higher for coronary artery disease have been met or approximated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left hip disability, heart disease (coronary artery disease), and right shoulder disability have been denied as the evidence does not establish a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder and recurrent leg disorder were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart disabilities, including cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including chest pain and neuromuscular pain, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from his correctional facility.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA social and industrial survey to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for angina pectoris on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, and has denied service connection for aortic valvular heart disease as it is not presumed or shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to SMC at a higher level due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD did not render him unemployable from November 15, 2007 to October 5, 2010. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence shows he was capable of performing some form of employment during this period.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his diagnosed heart disorders, including ischemic heart disease. The Board finds the current evidence insufficient to establish a link between these conditions and his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to November 10, 2011.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, a heart disability, visual impairment, left leg tumor, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, status post myocardial infarction, hypertension, status post coronary artery bypass graft, mitral valve regurgitation, and status post mitral valve annuloplasty, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 30 percent effective January 28, 2015. The rating reflects a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea and fatigue.