Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The heart condition issue remains pending as no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran may have been exposed to herbicides during service and is seeking a medical opinion on whether ischemic heart disease was present during his lifetime. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service. The appellant is granted retroactive cause of death benefits.

The Veteran's initial claim of an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, with a current evaluation of 60 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective dates being May 28, 2010 for tinnitus and September 12, 2016 for PTSD. The grant of service connection was based on presumptive exposure to herbicides (gulf war).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation and hypertensive heart disease are not related to his service or any service-connected disability, including prostate cancer. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or symptoms. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during service, and there is insufficient probative evidence linking either condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and assessment of his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's testicular cancer and ischemic heart disease with associated congestive heart failure are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease was granted at 60 percent from November 1, 2011 to January 21, 2013. After that, his rating was increased to 60 percent effective January 21, 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease is etiologically related to symptoms he experienced during service, including chest pains and pain in the left arm. As a result, the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the sufficiency of the February 2010 VA examination opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disease (with myocardial infarction) was caused by or a result of his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for an addendum medical advisory opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, neck disability, and low back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran was diagnosed with coronary artery disease and found to have been exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base. The Board granted service connection for the condition based on presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease has been granted, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the etiology of his heart conditions and scheduling him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and IHD) preclude the ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease and residuals of myocardial infarction were denied. The claim for an increased rating for left shoulder shrapnel scars was granted with a 10 percent rating effective from November 10, 2014.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but not for the associated right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.