Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes is granted, as these conditions are presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during his military service. The cause of death due to these conditions is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as his METs level did not exceed 5 and he did not have evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Veteran's cause of death, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD), is service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a heart condition (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) are both granted. The heart condition is found to be secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

Coronary artery disease was granted service connection effective July 30, 2012.,Lung cancer was granted service connection effective June 21, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, heart condition, hypertension, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and several musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, as well as his exposure to asbestos during service. The case will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a depressive disorder secondary to other conditions and multiple physical impairments related to diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since at least November 16, 2012. The Board has granted TDIU from that date. However, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 is remanded due to evidence suggesting he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), urinary disorder (hematuria), and skin disease (eczema) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty service.,Service connection is established on a presumptive basis as the diseases are listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Board has determined that a VA opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected residuals of thrombophlebitis of the left leg contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether it was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because he was not service-connected for any disabilities during his lifetime and did not have a continuous period of at least one year prior to death with a total disability rating.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of a workload of greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining National Guard service treatment and personnel records, verifying duty status, and determining if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his National Guard service. If exposure is confirmed, a VA clinician will be asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the cause of death (cardiac exhaustion due to complications of COPD, asbestosis, and coronary artery disease) was caused by exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, Bell's palsy, and residuals of a stroke as the evidence did not show a direct link to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The U.S.S. Davidson is believed to have been in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disability more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and impaired impulse control. An initial rating of 70 percent since June 11, 2014 for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.