Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease has resulted in chronic congestive heart failure since at least November 2014, and has resulted in exercise tolerance limited to 1-3 METs, resulting in angina, fatigue, and dyspnea for the entire appellate period. The Board finds that a 100 percent disability rating is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 16, 2009 and then upgraded to 50 percent thereafter. The claim for ischemic heart disease remains pending.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed ischemic heart disease is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's CAD, which caused left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction between 30 and 50 percent, is rated at a 60 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, claimed as heart condition and associated with exposure to a herbicide agent is granted. The Board finds the Veteran had herbicide exposure during service and has ischemic heart disease, which can be presumed due to such exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The low back disability, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction are not addressed as the claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after his active duty, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides. However, he was granted service connection for coronary artery disease which manifested post-service.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the requirements for basic eligibility to apply for VA benefits, including those related to hypertension, a heart condition, and residuals of a stroke. The appellant's National Guard service includes multiple periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA), which is considered qualifying military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disability, characterized as supraventricular arrhythmia, heart block and sick sinus syndrome, is not related to his active service or due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence does not support a finding of ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore DIC benefits are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA opinions provided no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia with an underlying cause of atherosclerotic heart disease. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, but the Board has ordered remand due to unavailability of service treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn all pending appeals before the Board, including those for higher staged initial ratings for coronary artery disease and entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 3, 2009.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disability or hypertension during service, and denied service connection for these conditions. The lung disabilities were also not related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed left bundle branch block is a disability for VA purposes and because of the inextricably intertwined nature of the service connection for an anxiety disorder issue. The claim will be adjudicated again after further development.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and ischemic heart disease, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied because the service-connected condition that required regular aid and attendance (coronary artery disease) was not granted until October 26, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 1, 2015 has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss on or after October 1, 2015 has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than September 26, 2008, for the assignment of a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for whether the combined service-connected disability evaluation of 20 percent, effective September 26, 2008, is correct has been withdrawn.,Service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to service-connected hypertension has been granted.