Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than January 30, 1997 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

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

The Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease, including as due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to service-connected disability, is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of scarlet fever and a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service scarlet fever or any chronic conditions. The Board also found that presumptive service connection based on continuity of symptomatology is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD, CAD, DM, and residuals of a right foot injury. The decision grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with angioplasty and stenting was not found to be related to his active service or any incident therein, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and his service at Royal Thai Air Force Bases in Thailand. The issues of service connection for heart disability and prostate cancer are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, requesting information from SSA regarding disability benefits, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to October 6, 2014 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain his National Guard service records and VA treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the current severity of his left foot disorder and etiology of his hypertension and cardiac disorder.

The Veteran's heart condition is rated at 100% since February 13, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than his heart condition.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The issue of a higher rating for this disability and entitlement to TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive heart disease, claimed as mild heart attack and weak heart, is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's medical records and requested a VA clinician to provide opinions on whether his heart conditions are related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal is being remanded for these actions.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for a heart disability and residuals of CVA, as well as the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed COPD and heart condition. The issues on appeal are whether service connection should be granted for COPD and a heart condition, to include CHF.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further development and consideration due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is found to be due to service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The heart disability and hypertension are also found to be related to service.

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