Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and aortic stenosis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The claim for coronary artery disease and hypertension was denied as there is insufficient evidence to associate these conditions with service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, and his initial disability rating for coronary artery disease prior to January 19, 2016 was denied. His initial disability rating for coronary artery disease since January 19, 2016 was granted at a 60 percent level. The Veteran's non-initial disability rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent. TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Air Force Base in Thailand, and therefore service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and is not related to his service-connected varicose veins.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, left hip replacement, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's heart condition was not shown to be related to his active service or within a presumptive period due to lack of evidence of chronicity in service. Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's left hip and back disabilities as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, but the claim for peripheral neuropathy remains pending as a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, bypass surgery scarring, and residuals of a stroke due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his heart condition is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's proximity to the base perimeter during his service in Thailand was established, allowing for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid tumor due to radiation exposure. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as new evidence was submitted since their previous denials.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma is dismissed.,Service connection for a skin disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents or Camp Lejeune water is denied.,Service connection for chronic prostatitis to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents or Camp Lejeune water is denied.,Service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and service connection for a heart disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents and Camp Lejeune water is remanded.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents or Camp Lejeune water is remanded.,Service connection for a heart disorder to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents and Camp Lejeune water is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to April 27, 2015 and in excess of 60 percent disabling thereafter for CAD. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder have been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims, but does not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for any of them.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his causes of death. The appellant is allowed to provide additional evidence and a new opinion will be sought from an examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and PTSD are remanded due to the need for further verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand and Vietnam, as well as additional attempts to corroborate claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base and is therefore entitled to presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart condition, hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, and brain cyst. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee replacements, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral hearing loss, make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).