Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as they are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service. The Veteran has not provided any credible evidence that he was exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and impotency/erectile dysfunction have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a heart disability related to his active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations are necessary to determine the Veteran's heart condition, lymph node condition, and respiratory condition claims. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and mild to moderate aortic stenosis, were not found to be related to his service or due to exposure to herbicides. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds the Veteran has coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The Veteran's current diagnoses of chronic sinusitis, ulcerative colitis, mechanical low back pain and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been assigned initial ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death was due to exposure to extreme cold during service, specifically his participation in the Ardennes Campaign. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than July 30, 2010 for the awards of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is not warranted as there was no informal claim or written intent to file a claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the submission of new evidence and review of VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiac disability, including coronary artery disease and arrhythmia, is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for these conditions as secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records. The current level of impairment related to his service-connected coronary artery disease will be determined, and any outstanding private or VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his heart disability, including non-ischemic and valvular heart disease, due to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim to reopen a heart disorder service connection claim was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is a condition associated with herbicide exposure. As the Veteran served in Vietnam and his death was due to an illness linked to service-connected conditions, he meets the criteria for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims.