Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 20, 2015 is being remanded due to the failure to refer it for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, has not met the criteria for a staged initial rating higher than 10 percent from October 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral below-the-knee amputations, but the claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service-connected diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the etiology of his left eye glaucoma, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision is final as it was issued in June 1983.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, both claimed as due to in-service Agent Orange exposure, are being remanded for further development. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's alleged Agent Orange exposure, particularly between July 6, 1966 and August 29, 1966, and determine if he had 'regular and repeated contact' with C-123 aircraft so as to warrant a finding of likely in-service herbicides exposure, to include Agent Orange. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records since December 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not service-connected due to a lack of in-service occurrence and no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not present in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his active service. The Board denied the claim as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and outstanding evidence, including the Veteran's service discharge certificate and medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee instability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has this condition. The heart disorder claim was remanded due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, diagnosed as coronary atherosclerosis (CAD), is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year of separation. The extraschedular rating claims were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disorders, including angina, CHF, CAD, right-sided heart failure, and atherosclerotic calcifications. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied in November 2008 but reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as it was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hepatitis (claimed as liver disorder), lung disorder, heart disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a physician regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and PTSD.