Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records, as his symptoms may have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claim as moot since the grant of service connection for Parkinson's disease rendered the other issue moot.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, effective from the date of the claim. The Veteran's hypertension is related to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as the evidence did not show that his claimed conditions were proximately due to or the result of VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The VA medical opinion stated that the Veteran's coronary artery disease significantly contributed to his death from metastatic colon cancer.

The Board found no evidence of in-service events, injuries, or diseases related to the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, stomach disability, amputations, renal disease, and anemia. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed heart disability and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that his current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease is not related to his military service. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or exposure to herbicide agents, and there was no continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease since April 8, 2009.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability for which service connection may be granted regarding the claimed heart disorder, fecal incontinence, or acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, the claims must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease was not filed until July 16, 2010. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities more than one year prior to filing a formal TDIU claim in June 2003. The effective date for TDIU is set at September 17, 2009.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was manifested by a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness and syncope. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met prior to May 2016.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted with an effective date of July 24, 1985. This is the earliest possible effective date given his initial application for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hand tremors are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Naha, Okinawa.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to the evidence being at least in equipoise that he has this condition. The claim for COPD remains pending as the VA examination was inadequate and a new one is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease are associated with his service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicides at Fort Drum. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus Type II, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.