Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PVD and diabetes. However, additional development is needed to determine if other conditions such as psychiatric disorder or coronary artery disease also rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as they are unclear about his duties at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base and whether he was exposed to herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s duties and attempt to obtain any additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's current heart disability and its relation to his active service, including exposure to herbicide agents. A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s claimed heart disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for CAD due to a lack of VA treatment records and for a TDIU determination. The Veteran's service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction have been granted service connection. His heart condition has been rated at 60 percent since July 3, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) aggravated his previously diagnosed Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), and thus grants secondary service connection for CHF.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence, which requires a SSOC. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) from August 1, 2016. The case is remanded to obtain an updated VA examination and determine if the Veteran should be granted TDIU based on his CAD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include atypical chest pain and palpitations is denied. The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are currently rated as 30 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7346. The Veteran is granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's Barrett's metaplasia is denied as it was not shown to be related to service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for a lung disorder (including COPD, asthma, and a nodule in the right lower lung) is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding asbestos exposure during military service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (including coronary artery disease, other ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and valve abnormalities) is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure during military service.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding PTSD as the potential cause or aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% disability rating as of April 22, 2009. The heart disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a non-ischemic heart condition due to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis listed in the regulations for presumptive service connection. The case will be reviewed on a direct basis and an opinion regarding direct service connection must be provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted. The decision also reopened his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiac arrhythmia, multiple myeloma, and diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran served aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 are rated as appropriate. Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection is denied for tinea versicolor of the face and head, right elbow disability, and left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The examiner is also requested to address whether his coronary artery disease contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, heart disease, and headaches due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.