Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted in February 2011, with a 10% rating effective April 7, 2010. The RO increased the rating to 30% in December 2016.,In June 2016, the Board remanded the case for development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for ischemic heart disease and a TDIU due to that disability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed heart disability or cardiovascular signs or symptoms due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted due to his service-connected heart disability, which has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since 1984.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with prior Board directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was granted a rating of 60 percent effective September 28, 2012. The Veteran also received an increased rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU benefits prior to May 8, 2014.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death, as the effective date of his service-connected disabilities did not meet the required criteria.

The Veteran's service records do not definitively show a layover in Vietnam or perimeter duty at Udorn Air Force Base, but his statements are generally consistent with the information contained in his service records and procedures followed by military aircraft during the Vietnam era. The Board finds that the evidence is at least approximately balanced on these questions, setting foot in Vietnam or placing duties near the perimeter of Udorn Air Force Base. As a result, IHD and type 2 diabetes are presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed heart condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as these conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied. The earlier effective date claim for the grant of service connection for myocardial infarction (heart disease) is pending and needs to be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 16, 2017, and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to be unrelated to his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is manifested by episodes of acute congestive heart failure and a workload of three METs or less, meeting the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's death was due to metastatic lung cancer, which is presumptively related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Thailand and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have chronic balanitis, and his stroke was not caused by asbestos.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for coronary artery disease, post pacemaker implant cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is considered etiologically related to his active military service, including high blood pressure readings during service.

The Veteran's CAD and type II diabetes mellitus are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.,Erectile dysfunction is not found to be caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.