Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and lung disability did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence and further adjudication. The Veteran's claims for service connection on various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is rated at 20 percent, and his coronary artery disease was not productive of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or workload greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs prior to August 16, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's appeals for initial higher ratings for ischemic heart disease and a compensable rating for five coronary artery bypass grafting post-surgical scars have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired heart condition, including ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, which triggers a presumption of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for retinopathy is remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding its current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or causation for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for body cramps, heart condition, and residuals of a lung condition are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for ischemic heart disease, presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's heart disability may be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents, but a VA examination is needed to determine if he currently has ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and burial benefits are granted due to his hospitalization at VA facilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, heart disability, and gallbladder removal residuals due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2013 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorders are not related to service, and specifically denied service connection as they were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is service-connected as secondary to hypertension and CAD, with a current effective date of May 25, 2010.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum 10 percent schedular disability rating available since May 25, 2010.,Hypertension has also been assigned the maximum 10 percent schedular disability rating available since May 25, 2010.,Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is currently rated at 30 percent effective September 27, 2011.

The Veteran's heart condition was rated at 30 percent from December 1, 2001 to October 15, 2005 and on and after January 15, 2006.