Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa. The Board requests further investigation and a review of the Department of Defense’s inventory of herbicide operations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a heart disability has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to his in-service hyperlipidemia, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for aggravation of a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability existed prior to his entrance into military service and was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a heart condition was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.,Service connection for cold injury residuals and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, depression, and prostate cancer were denied as there is no evidence of their onset during service or a link to service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease (CAD) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from June 1, 2011 to June 26, 2015 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent from June 26, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and major depressive disorder related to his military service. However, the issue of service connection for a heart disability other than IHD is remanded as it requires additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Ubon Air Force Base, Thailand and therefore service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted in full, and the appeal is dismissed. The issues of service connection for CAD and a seizure disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis with jaundice did not cause his death by heart failure, aortic valve stenosis and coronary artery disease. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s death was caused by treatment or examination furnished by VA.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are related to his service, including any confirmed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at 60 percent effective March 28, 2012. A higher rating is not warranted during any period of appeal. The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent in July 2012 and increased to 70 percent effective June 11, 2019.

The Veteran's emphysema and coronary artery disease were not service-connected, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The cause of death due to acute respiratory failure from emphysema is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current heart disorder is related to his military service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claims are also being remanded for a new VA examination and opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment in his occupation as a ship fitter. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 70% for his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and a heart disability, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's disabilities were first diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing VA and private treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, finding that the appellant did not submit a claim within one year from the date of her husband's death.