Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury related to the condition. The Veteran's statements about exposure were not credible and insufficient evidence supported a direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability related to his active military service. The bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service. The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease but has a diagnosis of GERD that had onset in service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities prior to May 18, 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is presumed due to his exposure to herbicides while on active duty, substantially contributed to his death and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise whether the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 30 percent since July 11, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The effective dates are set based on the earliest date of claim and the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to his in-service herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, and his death from cardiovascular disease (diagnosed as ischemic heart disease) is presumed to be related to this exposure. Therefore, the appeal for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not establish herbicide exposure. The cause of death was attributed to aspiration pneumonia, with underlying causes including hypertension-related cardiovascular disease. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a link to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and he did not have qualifying service. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits is denied. The appellant does not qualify for survivor's pension or accrued benefits as there were no compensation claims due at the time of his death.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected, and his coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all pertinent records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with a rating or effective date as his claims were all reopened.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a vocational specialist examination. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is etiologically related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart and psychiatric disabilities are being reviewed for possible service connection as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The bilateral leg disability, left inguinal hernia, and increased rating for the right inguinal hernia are also under review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 14, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding potential exposure to toxins on Guam and the cause of his claimed disabilities.