Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current heart disorder or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to his military service, including any asbestos exposure. The claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, pancreatitis, dementia, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, all secondary to diabetes mellitus. The decision did not address any exposure basis or grant a disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded due to the need for a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 31, 2010 and January 19, 2011 were denied as the earliest possible effective dates are determined by law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his current heart disabilities. The Veteran must be afforded an examination to determine whether any current heart disabilities are related to military service or specifically to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and lung condition (to include COPD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 30% due to its secondary nature to his service-connected hypertension. The appeal for a heart condition and the extension of a temporary total evaluation are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney, right hip, heart disease, and neck disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of current Peyronie's disease, heart disability, degenerative arthritis of the shoulders, or eczema of the hands. The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, recurrent atrial fibrillation, skin cancer, and Parkinson's disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim for skin cancer has been dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, cardiovascular disorder, rectal bleeding, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, and hypercholesterolemia. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, both of which he claims were caused by exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. The Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims on appeal.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for sinus problems and headaches, lung condition, heart condition, bilateral deep vein thrombosis, and anti-lupus/anti-coagulant disorder due to chemical and asbestos exposure during service.,However, new VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran's CAD has not resulted in chronic congestive heart failure, a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent. Therefore, the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for IHD, PVD of the bilateral lower extremities, ED, or cataracts.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no confirmed exposure to herbicides during service and the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.