Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Thailand. The claims for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD were granted initial ratings of 70% and 60%, respectively, effective December 30, 2011. A TDIU was also granted for the period prior to his death.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic heart disease, is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange and granted service connection for his cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected renal insufficiency, hypertension, and heart disease have worsened to the point where he is unable to work. The Board orders additional records be obtained and requests that an attempt be made to secure SSA records.

The reduction of the rating for coronary artery disease from 100% to 30% was proper and restoration of the 100% rating is not warranted.,The reduction of the rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from 100% to 10% was proper and restoration of the 100% rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and TDIU is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, as well as potential inextricability between the two issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is characterized by overlapping symptoms and signs. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease with sick sinus syndrome are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for anxiety due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability has been rated as 100 percent disabling since August 31, 2010. As a result, the claim for a TDIU rating prior to September 25, 2017 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a need for further development. The appellant's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 30 percent, but he argues it should be higher.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since December 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.,For his heart disability, the Veteran is seeking service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for cardiovascular disorder and GERD due to undiagnosed illness during Southwest Asia service, requiring additional medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, claimed as ischemic heart disease (IHD), to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of IHD or any other cardiovascular condition that manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as 'natural causes' on his death certificate, but the Board notes that this may not be a proper cause of death. The appellant contends that the emergency department records indicate the Veteran died from a heart attack and therefore should be presumptively service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, a higher evaluation for CAD, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's Ischemic Heart Disease has been granted an increased rating to 60 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, coronary artery disease, jungle rot of the feet, and hypertension due to service connection issues. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 3, 2016, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board finds that the earliest allowable effective date under the law is January 3, 2016.,The Veteran’s Raynaud’s disease secondary to his service-connected CAD disability is remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to service-connected hypertension and for a left knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's history of uncontrolled high blood pressure during service, which is considered a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, a psychiatric disorder (vascular dementia), and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in Thailand.