Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran died in March 1989 due to atherosclerotic heart disease. The appellant filed for DIC benefits on March 19, 2015, and the effective date was set at March 19, 2014. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as VA did not review the claim within one year of August 31, 2010, when ischemic heart disease became a presumptive disease.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is now rated at 100 percent effective July 27, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's brain tumor, heart condition, and bilateral shoulder disability are not related to his military service or any in-service chemical exposures. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as there was no in-service exposure to herbicides and the condition did not develop due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected tuberculosis, and thus denied both secondary service connection for a heart condition as well as an increased rating for tuberculosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, in excess of 10 percent for left knee fracture with degenerative spurs and crepitus, and in excess of 10 percent for right foot fracture of the fifth toe with degenerative joint space narrowing and hallux valgus.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and heart condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if his prostatitis is related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service in Thailand during the Vietnam War, where he served as part of a crash crew observing aircraft missions and spraying activities, brought him to the perimeter on a regular occasion. Given this exposure to herbicides, the Board grants service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which was caused by herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. As a result, the Board grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for ischemic heart disease post pacemaker implant from 30 percent to 60 percent, effective July 12, 2012. The reduction was improper due to failure to follow proper procedures.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition due to new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in the Republic of Vietnam, which allows for presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease, as there is no current diagnosis of this condition. The reopened PTSD claim will be further evaluated based on the provided evidence.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient enough to reopen the Veteran's claim for PTSD, with a new theory of entitlement based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bipolar disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent was improper and restored the original 70 percent rating. The Veteran's left forearm scar, hemorrhoids, and pinguecula were not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of disabling effects.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to verify his exposure to DDT during service and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current heart and respiratory disorders and his claimed in-service exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current heart disability is related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment prior to August 12, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during service, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to herbicide agents or hazardous jet fuel during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection based on direct evidence of a link between his current disabilities and active duty.