Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board denied service connection for a right kidney disability and a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's claims were based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam, particularly at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as dysplastic pulmonic valve, is considered a developmental or congenital defect and not a disability for which service connection may be granted. There is no evidence of a current disability (to include coronary artery disease) resulting from a disease or injury superimposed on this congenital defect during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, coronary artery disease, a scar associated with a coronary artery bypass graft, hemorrhoids, right urethral calculus, left inguinal herniorraphy, left wrist ganglion, and hypertension have met the percentage requirements for the award of a schedular TDIU. The combined rating is 90 percent since October 27, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disability, including coronary artery disease, is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for neck strain, lumbar spine strain, PTSD, and bilateral vision loss. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence secondary to residuals of left bronchogenic cyst.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate condition, heart disease (aortic stenosis and atherosclerosis), and stroke are denied as his duties did not place him on or near the base perimeter where herbicides were used. His claim for hearing loss is also denied due to lack of evidence showing it meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's glaucoma is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service and there is no evidence of a relationship to his diabetes. The Veteran does not have heart disease.,There is no current diagnosis of heart disease, and the Veteran's symptoms are more consistent with COPD exacerbation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, but denied all other claims on appeal. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, left hand tremors, right hand tremors, lung disorder, and cataracts. The Board found that there was no current disability related to these conditions and that they were not caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2005 for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure during his Vietnam service. The groin condition claim remains pending as the examiner has not been scheduled yet.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial and subsequent ratings following the award of service connection for CAD status post MI has been withdrawn. The claim is dismissed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that additional development is necessary, including a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish exposure to herbicide agents during service or a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his heart disability, including coronary artery disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for ischemic heart disease with stable angina.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The claim for service connection for colon cancer remains pending.