Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's service with the Army National Guard and Reserves, as well as opinions regarding potential exposure to herbicides and whether his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, with a current evaluation of 60 percent effective August 1, 2013. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated as 20 percent disabling since September 22, 2011.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires insulin use but does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, left knee disability, left hip disability, brain tumor, tinea pedis, and onychomycosis of the toes are all denied. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while his PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and as secondary to service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's heart disability is presumed due to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a statement of the case.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and atrial fibrillation, due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for CAD are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's representative dismissed the appeal due to a full grant of benefits in the November 2016 supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to consider additional medical records and provide an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for weak left foot with hallux valgus and arthritis of the MTP joint of the left 1st toe, to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of a fracture of the 2nd right MT, and heart disease, along with a claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the 2nd right MT. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not found to be related to service, but he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. His combined disability rating meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active military service or hypertension. The issue of increased rating for dyspepsia, hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and is granted. The issue of ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure remains pending.

The Veteran's heart disability, presumed due to exposure in Vietnam, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent throughout the period of appeal. The evidence shows no congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 50 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to have been incurred during active service and related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition for the claimed disorders, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current condition of coronary artery disease status post stent placement and myocardial infarction, as well as tinea pedis with onychomycosis and callous.