Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's heart disability, rated at 60 percent since March 5, 2013, is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to heart disability, hypertension disability, skin disability, and cervical disability. The issues include whether these conditions are related to his active service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Veteran's cause of death, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to (or as a consequence of) chronic ischemic heart disease, is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and concluded that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is denied. The temporary total disability rating based on convalescence is also denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's exposure to environmental contaminants at George Air Force Base. The claims include chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disability, hypertension, renal disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus type II, and eye disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his current restless leg syndrome.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations for various disabilities. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are denied as they were likely due to his post-service employment. Service connection is granted for anemia but the skin disability, hypertension, cataracts (right eye), heart disability, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity require further examination and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination due to insufficient evidence, including missing treatment records from a private cardiologist and updated VA dental records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding herbicide exposure at Fort Drum in 1968. The Veteran's claims for heart disability and prostate cancer secondary to herbicide exposure are pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including right hand disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability. The Board also ordered a remand for additional examinations regarding lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, depressive disorder, hypertension, heart disability, an earlier effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU. The Veteran's claims are also inextricably intertwined with the issues being remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused by his military service and the Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure. Service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there was no evidence of organic heart disease during service. The current heart condition is more than 30 years after discharge and does not link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II have been denied because there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.,There was no presumption of exposure to herbicides due to the Veteran's service in Vietnam, as he did not serve on landmass or inland waters within the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development. The Board will consider whether his current heart condition is related to his active military service, including his elevated blood pressure readings during induction and while hospitalized.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding SSA records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hypothyroidism or sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs and SPRs need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to gather financial information and properly address the overpayment issue of VA pension benefits.