Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction of his ischemic heart disease rating from 60 percent to 10 percent effective February 23, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between her current conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's CAD rating was reduced from 60% to 10%, effective December 1, 2014.,For the period beginning December 1, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for systolic heart murmur with mitral valve prolapse and valvular heart disease prior to January 24, 2013 is being remanded due to the failure of the AOJ to schedule a videoconference hearing as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents at Camp Friendship in Korat, Thailand during his service and has ischemic heart disease. Therefore, service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted as it may be due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in VCAA notice and personnel records, as well as a request for verification of herbicide exposure at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 are granted as both conditions are presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before the Board due to his failure to appear at the scheduled October 2016 hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure has been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 22, 2014, for a total disability rating due to coronary artery disease was denied as the first date on which it was factually ascertainable that he met the criteria for a total evaluation was April 22, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim will be considered after readjudicating the CAD increased rating claim.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for ischemic heart disease with hypertensive heart disease is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with its previous directives and for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease resulted in left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 60 to 65 percent, warranting a 30% rating from March 7, 2008 to March 31, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, manifested by tachycardia and arrhythmia, is not causally or etiologically related to his military service, his PTSD, or to any medication used to treat his PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no verified PTSD stressor, and the current conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The appellant is denied eligibility for DIC benefits as the remarried surviving spouse of the Veteran due to not meeting the legal requirements.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has been rated at 20 percent since January 2010. The coronary artery disease is rated at 30 percent. No compensable rating for erectile dysfunction due to diabetes mellitus was granted.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is found to be related to his military service, specifically due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. Service connection for this condition is granted.