Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 25, 2012.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran's cause of death was found to be due to coronary artery disease, which is presumed service-connected based on his service in Vietnam. The Board granted the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, CAD, and hypertension as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and that the disability did not manifest within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, previously claimed as a cerebral vascular accident, is denied. The Board found no evidence of ischemic heart disease prior to the Veteran's death and thus could not grant presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. Additionally, there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran’s cerebrovascular disease to his presumed in-service exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to any injury or disease incurred during his service, including exposure to asbestos or radiation.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertensive heart disease, and cardiomegaly. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic/coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hyperthyroidism (Grave's Disease), finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his periods of active duty for training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. The presumption of exposure applies due to the Veteran’s service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure. The issues of bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus and a pulmonary condition secondary to ischemic heart disease are remanded.

Service connection for a heart condition (patent foramen ovale and syncope) is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, but an initial compensable disability rating for hip problems and hypertensive retinopathy remains denied.

The Board is unable to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Eglin AFB in 1964 or 1965, and thus cannot decide on the merits of the claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, and left eye disorder. The case is being remanded to attempt verification of exposure.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I; coronary artery disease (CAD); bilateral eye disorder; and neuropathy are remanded due to new evidence received from a private medical opinion suggesting that these conditions were significantly and materially contributed by the Veteran's service-connected mental health condition.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is not entitled to an increased monetary award for DIC benefits as she does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to lack of dependents and other factors.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation of coronary artery disease in excess of 60 percent prior to March 18, 2011, and 100 percent prior to June 18, 2014, is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for stage 3 chronic kidney disease as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected ischemic heart disease is denied as there was no informal or formal claim prior to June 20, 2006.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2011 for the award of DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance during the period from January 1, 2011 through May 2017.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD, status post CABG, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating due to lack of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran's appeal involves a period prior to March 24, 2018 and after that date. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.