Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected conditions, including lung cancer and coronary artery disease. The cause of death listed on the amended death certificate is attributed to coronary artery disease, which the VA examiner opined was less likely than not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his psychiatric conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, including from prescribed medications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain employment as of October 1, 2002. The Board grants an effective date of October 1, 2002 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease was granted, with the effective date being September 7, 2006. The current rating of 30 percent has been maintained since January 13, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected hypertensive heart disease and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression with anxiety, ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, right leg peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disability prior to November 20, 2014 was manifested by a workload greater than 5 METs with dyspnea and fatigue, and an ejection fraction of greater than 50 percent. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to decide the claim and has therefore remanded for further development, including an examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy/non-obstructive coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure was denied as there was no prior denial and the Veteran did not file a claim before April 15, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, plantar fasciitis, and coronary artery disease status post angioplasty with stent. Service connection was not established for a back disability or for the heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his skin disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected OSA, IHD, and prostate cancer are not related to his active military service. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and left hand disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a combined effect that warrants an extra-schedular rating, and his claim for heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease, is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The stroke and diplopia are also not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's stroke was caused by his cardiac catheterization, and the diplopia is attributed to exotropia and right hypertropia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral eye disability (temporary blindness) related to service, and his other claimed disabilities are either not supported by evidence of record or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for asthma, which he claims is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease and/or due to asbestos exposure from the USS Shangri-La. He also contends that his asthma is related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to address these issues.

The Veteran's current hypertension was incurred in service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of tinea versicolor, condyloma, and a heart disability to include AV block with abnormal EKG which is at least as likely as not related to service.