Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence. The issues of service connection for heart disorder, cause of death, and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and heart disability were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and valvular (aortic) heart disease, are not service connected. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, manifested as coronary artery disease (CAD), effective from August 31, 2010. The Veteran's earlier claim of service connection was reopened and the effective date is set at this time.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective September 22, 2014. Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and right pyriform squamous cell carcinoma (claimed as larynx cancer) is denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure. Service connection for post-myocardial infarction coronary artery disease (CAD) is also denied. The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's IHD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 8, 1999 for service connection of CAD, SP CABG and MI was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not show a compensable degree of ischemic heart disease within one year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, a new VA examination, and further review by a Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected vestibular neuritis. The respiratory disorder (other than upper airway resistance syndrome) is not related to in-service occurrence and presumed due to smoking history. Service connection for coronary artery disease remains at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The bilateral sensorineural hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if his heart disabilities are related to his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, or a heart disorder due to lack of evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors and POW status.

The Veteran's DMII, IHD, and prostate cancer are found to be etiologically related to service. The residuals of skin cancer is not addressed as it pertains to a different issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings of 50% for PTSD with dysthymia prior to March 13, 2008, and 70% thereafter. He was also granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the appellant's arteriosclerotic heart disease had its inception during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) with the Massachusetts National Guard, and therefore grants service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination due to the passage of time since his last VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection in these cases due to lack of evidence linking his conditions to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which was related to Agent Orange exposure, contributed to his death and is now granted for purposes of accrued benefits.