Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that the medications used to treat his service-connected disabilities caused his death.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted as it is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure while serving in the waters offshore of Vietnam.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for cause of death due to metastatic colon cancer with contributory coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that the appellant did not file her claim within one year from the effective date of a liberalizing law or VA issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a heart condition, lumbar spine condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The cases are now remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions have been reopened, and some have been granted. The effective date for the increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board denied the TDIU claim due to the nonservice-connected back disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death and granted it, finding that the Veteran's anxiety reaction caused or aggravated his heart conditions leading to his death.

Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) due to Agent Orange exposure, and bowel urgency as secondary to prostate cancer.,The Veteran's fatigue symptoms are being evaluated further.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary heart disease and TDIU prior to February 13, 2018 are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The VA needs to schedule new examinations and provide a comprehensive assessment.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted as service connected, with the latter being presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ischemic heart disease, COPD with pulmonary hypertension, and other disabilities, resulted in significant need for regular aid and attendance. However, the criteria for SMC in excess of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) were not met.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as incurred in service. The heart disease, psoriasis, and arthritis claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's treatment at University Medical Center on February 19, 2015 was for an emergency condition that required immediate medical attention. The VA facility was not available and the Veteran is financially liable for the costs.

The Veteran's diagnosed coronary artery disease is associated with herbicide exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability. The Appellant did not have any pending claims at the time of her husband's death, and she exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. He will also be scheduled for new VA examinations to clarify his diagnoses of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the claim for burial benefits is denied due to untimely filing.

The Board has granted the reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease and has also granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is now entitled to compensation for his ischemic heart disease, status-post coronary artery bypass grafting.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a heart disorder due to exposure to toxic herbicides. Additional records need to be obtained, including service treatment records and private medical records. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of any diagnosed heart disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded.