Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and his kidney disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cerebral aneurysm with vascular dementia and major depressive disorder are found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease with ischemic cardiomyopathy. His PTSD disability is granted a higher evaluation, but the claim for increased evaluation of PTSD has been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The appeal for secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus type II and Avandia use is also denied.

The Veteran's heart disease, sleep apnea, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disease, and nerve damage are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and/or hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease have been rated appropriately, with a 60 percent rating for the period from December 7, 2011. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has not been established.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition other than ischemic heart disease and brain damage, but denied service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's current heart condition is due to his service-connected alcoholism with liver disease, while his brain disorder is due to his service-connected heart condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if there was a valid claim filed prior to April 30, 1997.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there was no prior denial or pending claim before November 25, 2002.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was increased to 30 percent effective January 23, 2015. The evidence shows that his condition improved with medication and he had a left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 60 percent since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied all claims.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD has been granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes related to his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after separation from active duty. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to be unrelated to military service.,For his heart disability claim, the Board found that while the Veteran has a current diagnosis of CAD, he did not have any in-service heart problems for which service connection could be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, to include coronary artery disease, based on a presumption of exposure to herbicides (burn pit) during service.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for a right hand disorder, and service connection for high cholesterol. The remaining issues are adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was aggravated by his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes or a cardiac disability, including coronary artery disease. Therefore, service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, as this condition falls under a presumptive basis based on his in-country Vietnam service.