Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease, associated with herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ, was denied as no retroactive award can be made due to the liberalizing law becoming effective after the filing of his original claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD have been denied. The effective date of service connection remains July 21, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation or as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and heart disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a direct connection to his military service or secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, COPD, and renal cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board finds that his end-stage renal failure, transitional cell cancer, heart failure, and coronary artery disease were not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disorders, including HTN, MI, atrial fibrillation, angina, right branch bundle block, systolic ejection murmur, and CAD, are not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, migraines, and other conditions have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, retinopathy, hypertension, edema of the legs and feet, renal failure, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied. The appeals are based on secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of cataracts has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, but does not find that he currently has a heart disorder or any other disability related to service. His sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. His narcolepsy is rated at 40 percent and his degenerative disc disease with low back pain is also rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his heart and hypertension conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, COPD, and a skin condition due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center Hospital from September 25-29, 2009 were denied as the emergency treatment was not provided in a hospital emergency department or similar facility providing emergency care.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to military service and the Board finds that he has a heart disability, likely ischemic cardiomyopathy, which may be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The hypertension is not shown to have pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection for CAD is not warranted as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.