Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, rectal cancer, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus II due to exposure to ionizing radiation have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records related to a division officer and treatment for an irregular heartbeat during service. The Veteran's heart disability is being reviewed again as new evidence may support his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied due to lack of evidence supporting in-service stressors. The claim has been reopened with new and material evidence submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, was also denied as there is no credible evidence that the claimed stressors occurred.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to June 10, 2013 is being remanded due to missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to exposure to radiation during service. The AOJ is required to complete all development needed to obtain any available records concerning the Veteran’s reported in-service exposure to radiation from the appropriate source, followed by an attempt to obtain a dose estimate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart disability, and an eye disability have been denied. The denial of the hypertension claim is final as no new and material evidence was received within one year of the November 2008 rating decision. For the heart disability claims, there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or other related conditions due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection cannot be established on a presumptive basis for these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus favorable to the Veteran.

The Veteran's ventricular tachycardia paroxysmal was denied an increased rating, and he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for housebound benefits prior to August 24, 2011, was also denied.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease status post myocardial infarction and stent placement is rated at 60 percent, but he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for atrial flutter (claimed as a heart condition). As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also denied the TDIU claim prior to January 1, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if ischemic heart disease is present and related to service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to lack of evidence linking his death to military service. The Appellant did not provide new and material evidence.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his time at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and medical inquiry into the claim of service connection for heart disease. The issue of hypertension is also inextricably intertwined with the heart disease claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically ischemic heart disease and its relation to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to dioxin-based tactical chemical herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional records and consideration of any new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The cause of death, lung cancer due to smoking, is not service-connected.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the assignment of increased ratings and service connection. The Board has determined that these issues are remanded.,Effective dates have been granted for peripheral arterial disease, but not for atherosclerotic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 5, 2012, for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for IHD.