Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure in Vietnam, and the need for further investigation into his service records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed heart condition, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a prior effective date.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has resulted in a workload greater than 5 metabolic equivalents of task (METs) but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, and dizziness, with no evidence of cardiac hypertrophy on electrocardiogram; the Veteran's left ventricular ejection fraction has consistently been above 50 percent from that time. The current rating of 30% is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) has been granted, and the case is now remanded to schedule a VA examination with a current METs test.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for organic heart disease and residuals of pleuropericarditis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder as secondary to post-fracture status of the left supraorbital ridge with headaches, finding that there is no legal basis to award such based on anxiety or temper due to PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was productive of angina with a workload of between five and seven METs prior to August 28, 2013. From that date to September 12, 2013, the condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, including myocardial infarction and CABG, was granted a 60% evaluation from September 20, 2004 to January 26, 2007. On January 27, 2007, the date of his death, he received a 100% evaluation for this condition.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction should be August 31, 2010, as this is the earliest date on which a claim could have been filed under the liberalizing law.

The Veteran's heart disease was granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides. The compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from an alleged failure to timely diagnose left kidney cancer was also granted, and the TDIU claim was granted as well. However, the cause of death claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease is denied as there is no evidence of such condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since May 23, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For ischemic heart disease with CABG prior to June 24, 2014, the Veteran's disability was rated at 10 percent. The Board determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by sepsis, which the VA and private medical opinions suggest were related to his service-connected lung cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that these conditions contributed substantially or materially to cause the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures in Thailand and Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. His TDIU claim remains pending and requires issuance of a statement of the case.