Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart disorder (coronary artery disease); prostate cancer; and osteomyelitis of the bone (amputation of 4th and 5th toes), all presumed related to toxic herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cephalalgia has been granted with a compensable (30%) rating. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are adequately contemplated by the current schedular criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any current residuals of in-service viremia and that his heart disorder is not related to service, including the in-service viremia. The claim for secondary service connection for sensory neuropathy in the right thumb as secondary to postoperative residuals of a right thumb tendon laceration is granted.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 2, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for COPD with interstitial fibrosis and CAD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service asbestos exposure or a link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's heart disease, including hypertension and premature ventricular contractions, had its onset during his active duty service from June 1998 to February 1999. The Board found that the current diagnoses are related to the in-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an additional acquired psychiatric condition other than depression and anxiety, as well as his heart condition, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. The August 2002 rating decision denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist is final. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist.

The Board has remanded the case for further explanation of the attorney fee award, as the AOJ failed to provide a detailed basis for the $2,590.60 in attorney fees awarded.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative heart disability, residual surgical scars, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for service connection for a heart condition and prostate condition, and the Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypothyroidism, and right eye cataract, corneal verticillata, and pterygium due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The new evidence supports a link between these conditions and the veteran's time at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction was granted, with a temporary 100 percent rating from August 31, 2010 to October 31, 2010. The current rating is 10 percent since November 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to address whether any heart disabilities, other than viral pericarditis, are related to service or Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any VA and non-VA healthcare providers who treated him for his claimed heart disorder.