Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis and coronary artery disease are rated at 60 percent combined, but the Board finds that separate ratings for these conditions are not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date of July 16, 2007 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease, status-post stent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, as a form of ischemic heart disease, status post (SP) myocardial infarction and SP coronary artery bypass graft was granted based on in-service herbicide exposure. However, due to the retroactive nature of the grant, no effective date earlier than September 8, 2003 is assigned.

The Veteran had service in Vietnam and was presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The Board finds that the Veteran likely suffered from ischemic heart disease during his lifetime, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes are granted based on exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide agent exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered and a thorough examination is conducted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 12, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability for which service connection can be granted. However, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that he has a heart disability due to disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for DIC benefits due to ischemic heart disease, presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for retroactive benefits for ischemic heart disease is also pending and requires additional evidence and a medical opinion on the cause of death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death from congestive heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disability, which was diagnosed several years after his active military service. The VA examiner opined that the condition is less likely related to in-service events or conditions, but may be linked to Agent Orange exposure during service. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for ischemic heart disease from August 15, 2007 to April 6, 2011 is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 20, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, was granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent effective November 8, 2012. The rating is for the period from November 8, 2012 through May 18, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for the appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability for which service connection is sought. As such, no service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service at Thailand military bases and finds that he meets the criteria for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to such exposure.