Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent prior to December 2, 2015.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is also granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease are all presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which was service-connected due to his Vietnam-era service, contributed substantially and materially to his death from atrial fibrillation. Service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and emphysema based on herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claim of in-country service near or within the DMZ.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, effective June 25, 2012. He also has ischemic heart disease rated at 60 percent and diabetes mellitus Type II rated at noncompensable since August 13, 2013.,From August 1, 2012 through August 12, 2013, the Veteran's combined rating is 100 percent due to his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder was found to be incurred as a result of in-service events, leading to the grant of service connection for this condition. The heart and respiratory conditions are pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting, was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a formal or informal claim prior to February 6, 2012. The effective date assigned is February 6, 2011.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer disability rating from 40% to 20% was improper and restored the original 40% rating. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20%, which the Board determined insufficient for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and treatment records, including those from a recent surgery. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is being evaluated again to determine its current severity.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, heart conditions, and hypertension were not related to service or service-connected disabilities. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current sleep apnea or a heart condition, including coronary artery disease and hypertension. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted, and he is now rated at 100 percent effective from February 28, 2017. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, which was granted with an effective date of June 30, 2009 due to VA medical records showing a diagnosis of CAD, was denied as there were no accrued benefits payable because the Veteran did not have a pending claim at his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and treatment records, as the current information in the file is outdated.

The Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his service due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.