Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart conditions, including ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy, are presumed to be due to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent effective May 22, 2014. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was granted but not yet assigned a specific percentage.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to his military service or any presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that he had not been exposed to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of July 23, 2004. The Board found that the earliest indication of a heart disability in his claims came on July 23, 2004, which is later than the August 31, 2010 effective date for ischemic heart disease (presumptive service connection). Therefore, an earlier effective date prior to July 23, 2004 is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes and ischemic heart disease was denied. The Veteran's diabetes required insulin and a restricted diet, but did not require regulation of activities as defined by VA. His ischemic heart disease prior to October 9, 2012 warranted a 10% rating based on workload greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and valvular heart condition, is service-connected due to direct service connection. The disorder was aggravated by military service, especially given his Vietnam service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current memory disability or heart disability for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's complaints and diagnoses have been associated with his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for parathyroidectomy with history of hyperthyroidism. The remaining issues on appeal include service connection for a left hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart condition, all claimed as secondary to service-connected parathyroidectomy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including verification of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence of a prior informal or formal claim received by VA before March 31, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease was denied as the earliest claim was received in June 2012, which is later than when entitlement arose.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disorder and heart disability are not related to service or any incident therein, and denied both claims.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for IHD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of confirmed diagnosis, resulting in denial of all issues related to this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation during active duty, and denied service connection for a heart disorder due to lack of evidence showing worsening during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, deviated septum, sleep apnea, atypical left temple nevus, or residuals thereof. The Veteran's service treatment records are not associated with his claims file and it is presumed lost. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a whole, and he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, to include as due to exposure to an herbicidal agent and as secondary to a service-connected disability is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities so as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.