Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, which was listed as a contributing factor in his death, may be service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Additionally, an opinion is needed on whether the Veteran had ischemic heart disease or lung cancer that contributed to his respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

The Veteran's death was caused by atrial fibrillation, with hypertension as a secondary condition. The cause of death claim and VA burial benefits claim are both remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral eye disability, renal dysfunction, urinary incontinence, heart disability, fecal incontinence, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure while stationed at Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from a cardiologist regarding the Veteran's heart disorder, including palpitations and supraventricular arrhythmias. The examiner is asked to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD or TBI.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 24, 2009 for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease. The decision is based on evidence showing a diagnosis of these conditions in December 2008 and April 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to his death. The Board finds that the nonservice-connected conditions (COPD and colostomy) were more significant in preventing employment.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted at 30 percent, effective October 20, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that his current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has ordered a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, contributed to his death from congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran seeks service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, which he claims are due to his exposure to herbicides in service. The Board is tasked with determining whether the ship on which the Veteran served had inland waterway service by virtue of which he would have been exposed to air borne sprayed herbicides.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted the Veteran a 70% rating for PTSD as of June 19, 2009.

The appeal is being remanded due to the failure to afford the appellant a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran died from arteriosclerotic heart disease, which is not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence linking the cause of death to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, initially claimed as pneumonia with cardiomegaly, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for CAD remains March 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 21, 2010 is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated employment information and VA treatment records.