Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a heart disorder and service-connected sinusitis due to additional development being necessary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine if any identified cardiac condition was caused by or aggravated by asbestosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, concluding that it did not manifest during or within one year after service and was not related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, to include cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation, was not incurred or aggravated in service. The current diagnoses of hypertension were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. Therefore, the claim for heart disability due to herbicide exposure cannot be granted.

The Veteran's lipomas were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current diagnosis of heart disorder and service, nor does there appear to be any established connection with service for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's geographic tongue and pseudofolliculitis barbae ratings remain denied, as does his request for an earlier effective date for hallux limitus/rigidus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and medical opinions regarding whether his service-connected PTSD aggravates his hypertension and heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder are at least as likely as not related to service, with hypertension being presumed due to Vietnam exposure. The heart disorder is considered a structural manifestation of the hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for service connection, including regarding exposure to asbestos and herbicides.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been caused by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, including aortic stenosis and minimal coronary artery disease, was not related to his military service or to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board also determined that the heart disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of vaccinations, to include a stroke, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The issues regarding lumbar disability, right knee disability, and evaluation for index finger fracture were also addressed but not specified in terms of disposition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, increased ratings for various disabilities, and entitlement to automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn and are therefore dismissed.