Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 8, 2010 for service connection for CAD due to herbicide exposure. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for sleep apnea and a higher initial rating for service-connected CAD. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for GSW residuals of the left lower extremity, paraplegia of the left lower extremity, radiation poisoning, blood poisoning, and a heart condition. The evidence is insufficient to establish current disabilities or link them to service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease is due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service. The decision also grants service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and etiology opinions due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA medical examination and opinion to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing mitral valve regurgitation was aggravated by his fourth period of active service, warranting service connection for this condition. The record does not support a finding of aggravation in the Veteran's sleep disorder during service.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), which is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicide Agent Orange during service. The Board finds that the Veteran met the criteria for presumptive service connection due to his exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CAD was denied in 1977, and the effective date of his current grant of service connection is December 23, 1991. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

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

The Veteran's PTSD and coronary artery disease render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased evaluation for his PTSD.

The Veteran's skin and heart disability claims are being remanded for additional development as the opinions provided by VA examiners were inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical professional to clarify whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's Reserve service and providing medical opinions on various claims.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and neurological disability of the left upper extremity, finding no evidence to support these claims on a direct basis. The Veteran's statements were not considered competent as to etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and heart disorder.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.