Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute to his death from cardiac arrest, as there was no causal relationship between PTSD and heart attack. The Veteran had a history of coronary artery disease prior to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or an earlier effective date in any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's coronary artery disease was related to his service and whether it caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining employment information from his identified employers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further clarification of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for an addendum opinion from the May 2013 VA examiner regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's kidney disability, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac disability are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service. The heart condition (to include a heart murmur) is denied as there is no evidence of such disability during service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's heart disability and hypertension, as these conditions are not shown to be related to her active duty service.,While the Veteran claims that her heart disability and hypertension are secondary to her service-connected PTSD, MDD, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, there is no medical evidence or credible opinion supporting this claim.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 8, 2007 and March 27, 2006 for right knee degenerative joint disease and coronary artery disease were denied as the earliest date of receipt of a petition to reopen his service connection claim was not within these periods.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of gastric origin (in remission) based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.,The Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed at military bases in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to his coronary artery disease. The claim for TDIU will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran is currently receiving a 100% rating for his psychiatric disability, which precludes any consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to January 3, 2008.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional VA treatment records related to the Veteran's heart disability and kidney disability. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has requested an expert medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The VHA expert provided a negative nexus opinion regarding exposures at Camp Lejeune but could not comment on exposures at Camp Pendleton due to lack of available information.