Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and another opportunity to complete and submit a VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability).

The Board has found service connection for diabetes mellitus type two and peripheral neuropathies of the right and left lower extremities. The case is REMANDED to determine if the Veteran suffers from ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's former representative, Lauren Murphy of Alpha Veterans Disability Advocates, was entitled to a payment of $37,031.81 as part of past-due benefits awarded in October 2013 due to the award of higher disability ratings and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither his acute myocardial infarction nor any diagnosed heart or cardiovascular disorder were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of increased evaluations for his bilateral plantar fasciitis are also denied.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and testicular cancer was not granted as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating from December 2011.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicides. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and grants service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, migraines, diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal for service connection for hypertension, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 100% to 60% for coronary artery disease was proper based on sustained and material improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition, including left ventricular hypertrophy, is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals, including those for service connection and disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, Reserve service, or National Guard Service.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for coronary artery disease and essential hypertension with history of mild renal insufficiency is denied for the periods from March 27, 2009 to September 4, 2013, and from April 14, 2015.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an ischemic heart disease. The Board has determined that additional information is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty and whether he had a pre-existing condition aggravated by his military service. As such, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis in the left wrist, no manifestations of hypertension or diabetes to a degree of 10 percent within one year post-service, and insufficient continuity of symptoms since service for these conditions. The low back disability was not shown in service, did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year from separation, and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and heart condition claims were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a sleep disorder or neck disorder. The Veteran's cold injury residuals have been rated at 10 percent prior to November 21, 2012 and at 20 percent thereafter. A compensable disability rating for forehead disfigurement by scars was not warranted, and the Veteran did not meet criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service manifestation of the claimed conditions, and thus denied service connection for prostate cancer, heart condition, skin disorder, and type II diabetes mellitus.