Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and heart disease as secondary to lung cancer are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his desire to withdraw the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's sleep disorder, back disorder, and heart condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, and urinary frequency. The decision also addressed other issues such as non-service connected pension, increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis, and TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and vasospasm, did not develop in service or during his period of ACDUTRA. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation either.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including supraventricular tachycardia, is found to be related to her service. The effective date for the award of service connection for instability of the right knee has been set at November 15, 2011. A rating in excess of 10 percent for instability of the right knee and degenerative changes of the right knee remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, heart disability, and migraine headaches were also denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and determine the appropriate disposition of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant and service connection for voiding dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his presumed herbicide agent exposure and secondary to his service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma with obstructive lung disease), visual impairment, or bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and CAD due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 70 percent rating prior to July 24, 2009. The increased rating for coronary artery disease remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected sarcoidosis, hypertension, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 17, 2014 is denied as he did not meet the percentage threshold requirement for TDIU and there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability (COPD) and heart condition were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability for many years after service. The Board also noted that the current conditions are more likely related to post-service occupational exposures.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 39 percent as of February 17, 2012, warrants a 60 percent rating. Additionally, the Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected heart disability.

The Board has reopened the psychiatric claim and is remanding both claims to the AOJ for further development. The heart claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.