Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, and respiratory disorder were not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service records and will request them from specific units. The Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease, potentially related to in-service herbicide exposure, is now on hold until these records are obtained.

The Veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease (CAD), is service-connected. However, the appellant does not qualify for non-service-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable amount.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran’s death and determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active service at Takhli RTAFB in Thailand. As a result, ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking his Parkinson's disease, stroke, and coronary artery disease to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim is granted. For the initial rating of ischemic heart disease, a remand is required as the Veteran testified that his condition has worsened since the last VA examination in January 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is granted.

The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran was not rated totally disabled at the time of his death.

The Board has denied service connection for pancreatic cancer and remanded the cause of death claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions have been denied. The issues of service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding alleged exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during his time in Okinawa.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU. The rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral metatarsalgia is denied due to lack of relevant evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer, colon cancer, and a heart condition due to radiation exposure. The preponderance of evidence supports that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum rating available under DC 7101. The effective date for this grant of service connection remains May 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus could not establish a presumption of service connection. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer did not meet the criteria for SMC due to regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the current heart disability was aggravated by military service. The appellant's pre-existing mitral valve prolapse is being evaluated for aggravation during his initial period of active duty and in 2005.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the appellant's wishes regarding her claims. The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is being evaluated, and his need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also under review.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and residuals, as well as arteriosclerotic heart disease, both presumed to be caused by herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service at Don Maung Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure has been granted. However, his claims for prostate and neuropathy disabilities are remanded.,Service connection for lower back disability and COPD is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection is granted for coronary artery disease.