Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hyperpigmentation of the face and neck, right knee disorder, and back pain are all found to be related to his service-connected Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB). The heart disorder and hypertension were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding private treatment records and other issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and grants service connection for CAD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam and granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus as presumptively due to such exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is being remanded because the documents proving his presence in Vietnam and entitlement to the presumption of exposure have not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was attributed to coronary artery disease, which is linked to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion on whether PTSD caused or aggravated the heart disease.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.,The Veteran's hearing loss claim will be remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim will be remanded as his in-service combat experience needs clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents and other conditions not related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for coronary artery disease. The Board finds that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart disorder and hypertension, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The decision is in favor of a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and residuals from his in-service surgery. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (BPNLE), prostate problems, Parkinson's disease, and memory loss, all claimed as related to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's heart disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Anxiety, Depression) are both found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass surgery was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition arose prior to June 24, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Air Force records to determine if the Veteran was in Vietnam during his trip. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease remains under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable for the period from August 7, 2008 through April 21, 2009.

The Veteran's stomach disorder, including GERD and IBS, is not service-connected.,Prior to April 6, 2010, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent. From April 6, 2010 to July 16, 2013, it was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's depression is currently rated as 70 percent from May 24, 2012 and thereafter.,Neurological impairment of the left lower extremity resulted in mild sciatic nerve neuropathy since July 16, 2013. Neurological impairment of the right lower extremity also resulted in mild sciatic nerve neuropathy since that date.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective May 24, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and further clarification of his claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development and readjudication.