Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence received since the April 2003 decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to tactical herbicide agents while serving on active duty and thus could not establish service connection for his heart disabilities or chronic kidney disease based on exposure. The claims were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's current heart disorder is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for PTSD due to insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis under DSM-5.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to incomplete examination report. Additional evidence may be needed from private or VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted. Service connection was established for bilateral eye cataracts due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DM II). The cervical spine disability received initial ratings of 10 percent prior to June 28, 2016, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's TDIU claim from July 31, 2017, is moot due to his combined 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's current heart condition, including hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the Veteran's heart condition is more likely due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for multifocal PVCs, claimed as heart disease. The moving party seeks revision or reversal of this decision on the basis that it was clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney condition, neck disability, and pancreas condition are related to his service-connected disabilities. The heart condition is not directly connected to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and thus denying his claim based on presumptive service connection. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition and heart conditions have been granted. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence that he had a pending claim or a denied claim within the relevant timeframes. The liberalizing provisions under Nehmer do not apply in this case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature, cause, and effect of any mental health disorder the Veteran may have had at the time of his death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease in May 1966. The Veteran's new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and therefore does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and coronary artery disease have been granted due to herbicide agent exposure during his period of service in Thailand.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder has also been reopened, but the Board is unable to determine if he has manifested any specific skin condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability did not manifest in service or within the one year presumptive period and is unrelated to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, valvular heart disease, aortic stenosis with murmur, and right carotid obstruction, are not related to service. The other claimed conditions (hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy) have also been found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for glaucoma, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, emphysema, and heart disease.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease, associated with herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ, is denied as he does not qualify under the Nehmer class exception and the liberalizing law adding ischemic heart disease to the list of presumptive disabilities related to herbicide exposure became effective on August 31, 2010.