Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional opinion regarding whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic valve disease and implicitly recharacterized the issue as entitlement to service connection for a heart disability. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current aortic valve disease had onset during his active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions due to herbicide exposure during his service at Fort Knox Army base. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including verification of the Veteran's exposure and obtaining VA examinations or opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted with an effective date of May 5, 1997. The initial rating assigned is 10 percent prior to March 9, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam, and therefore diabetes mellitus with complications is presumed. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease was granted, and a rating of 30 percent was assigned effective from November 22, 2010. The appeal is also granted for the earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disability, including as due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and left elbow. The Veteran's claims for headaches, vertigo, gastrointestinal disorder, left elbow disorder, and right and left knee disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, foot disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.,There are no service treatment records or post-service medical records that document any diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post-CABG, is rated at 60 percent and the Board has granted this rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation from August 8, 2005, to July 15, 2007. From July 16, 2007, until May 19, 2011, the Veteran's condition warranted a 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's heart disorder, characterized by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia more than four times a year, meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the Veteran's claimed exposure to asbestos is established. The appeal will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of August 5, 2002. The evidence shows the Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since at least that time.

The Board is remanding the case to verify whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand at Korat RTAFB, which could potentially grant presumptive service connection for his cause of death.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The Board found the Veteran had boots on the ground in Vietnam and therefore was presumptively exposed to herbicides.