Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's CAD disability is rated at 60 percent for the period prior to June 30, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure and aortic valve replacement as secondary to ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's malaria is rated noncompensable, but the claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal cancer, which was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service, is the primary cause of death. Therefore, the criteria for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed heart disability and prostate cancer. Additionally, he will be provided with an SOC regarding his claims for service connection for depression, a sleep condition, hypertension, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and left testicle disorder, finding no evidence of actual exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's heart condition was not shown to be related to his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and 60 percent for coronary artery disease, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for heart disease, finding new and material evidence. The heart disease claim is being remanded to determine whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's heart condition is not related to his service, specifically the lightning strike he experienced during active duty. The Board denied the claim as there was no competent evidence linking the current heart disability to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, Ischemic Heart Disease, cervical radiculitis, ulnar radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities) preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background since January 1, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence collection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's heart disability and ventricular bigeminy were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder is not service-connected, and he does not meet criteria for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The effective date of September 6, 2006 TDIU determination was upheld. Service connection for lumbosacral strain was denied due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the May 1993 decision. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disabilities, including his implantable pacemaker and heart murmur, were not incurred during service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a heart disorder, arthritis of the neck and wrist, a back disorder, and left ear disorder. The decision also addressed increased rating claims for right ankle sprain and residuals of malaria. The denial was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or chronic symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA heart examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/privae treatment notes. The Veteran needs an examination to assess his sleep apnea and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The appellant's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.