Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board found that a 100% evaluation for rheumatic heart disease was not factually ascertainable prior to May 12, 2008. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 7, 2003 to May 12, 2008 is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty, and thus is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. As a result, he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 17, 2005. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on METs levels or other criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus contributed substantially or materially to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his service-connected PTSD. The other conditions were not found to be related to service.

The Board finds that the service-connected asbestos-related lung disease with pleural plaques and coronary artery disease did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction due to hypertensive heart disease and hypertension. The Board finds that the service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to cause the Veteran's death, as evidenced by the treatise evidence and VA medical opinion.

The Board denied reopening the service connection claim for a heart disability and awarded service connection for asbestosis, but did not assign an effective date earlier than November 26, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not necessitate regulation of activities.

The Board found that the cause of death, atherosclerotic heart disease, was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of full-body exposure to mustard gas during service. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and issuance of a Statement of the Case on increased rating claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is presumed to have been incurred during service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, as well as incomplete VCAA notice.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, contributed substantially or materially to cause his death. The Board finds that this disability is service-connected for the purpose of awarding death benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development, including medical opinions on the etiology of his conditions.