Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed, and his diabetes mellitus type II is found to be related to this exposure. Service connection is granted for PTSD with a 30% evaluation.

Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and unclear address of the Veteran. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and heart disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted a compensable rating (10%) for residuals of multiple rib fractures. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, eye disability, right total hip replacement, and heart disability are dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, or lung disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. The presumptions for herbicide exposure and asbestos exposure do not apply as there is no evidence of actual exposure.

The Veteran's CAD, status post PTCA with stent placement, is rated at 60 percent from July 1, 2002 and has been granted a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and likely etiology of hypertension and any diagnosed heart condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability, including mitral valve prolapse, old myocardial infarction, and coronary artery disease (CAD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran not perfecting his appeal within 60 days of issuance of the Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, and additional development regarding his in-service exposure to herbicides is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other in-service injury that could lead to this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated income information and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a search at the National Personnel Records Center.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, but the decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not. The Veteran's appeal involves secondary service connection for hypertension due to PTSD or CAD.

The Veteran is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, as well as secondary disabilities to these conditions, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to active military service or are due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO by way of videoconference. The issues include service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Via Christi Hospital for a CABG procedure are granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether he was transferred to a VA facility, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor.