Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and granted it, finding that new and material evidence was received. The condition is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service personnel records and VA Form 21-4142s, as well as potential herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper notice regarding personal assault claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hiatal hernia did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be related to or aggravated by a disease or injury of service origin, to include the service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records, specifically those related to his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS and any heart condition or COPD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008 to July 30, 2013.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease can be adjudicated. The Veteran served in Vietnam but not on inland waters, so direct exposure to herbicides must be established by evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and VA/VA-privately obtained medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability is also being reconsidered as part of this process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension, a heart disability, or chronic muscle pain that is related to his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of service connection due to competent lay and medical evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim, finding that there was clear and unmistakable error in the January 14, 2010 rating decision which awarded special monthly compensation at the housebound rate instead of aid and attendance. The effective date is not specified as this is a complete grant of the benefit sought.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, including arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease with paroxysmal tachycardia arrthymia (previously characterized as tachycardia), back disability, and bilateral hip disability. However, these claims are still denied on their merits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart condition did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by her active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected chest scar, which is painful, has been granted an initial 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran was exposed to herbicides during active service and has been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that he was actually exposed to herbicides, allowing for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The heart disorder claim will be reconsidered, and the secondary claims for bypass surgery scarring and stroke residuals will also be reviewed in light of this new development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, DM, a heart condition, erectile dysfunction, an eye disorder, and a kidney condition. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is therefore denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered in connection with the Veteran's claims.