Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart condition, right shoulder disability, and neck disability have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, migraine headaches, back condition, bilateral foot condition to include stasis dermatitis of the left foot, and bilateral eye condition. The issues have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of a private medical procedure to replace his defibrillator battery is denied because the treatment was not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for payment under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and PTSD is granted. However, the effective date of service connection for PTSD cannot be earlier than May 28, 1985.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus II as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection is granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus II.,Service connection is denied for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, right knee condition, dizziness, left knee condition, sleep apnea, heart condition, gastrointestinal disorder, CFS, left elbow condition, anxiety disorder, and headaches have been granted.,Service connection is established for a right knee disability, sleep apnea (as a respiratory condition), and anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, heart condition, dysthymic disorder (previously claimed as depression), leg cramps, and vitiligo. The claim for thyroid condition remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities. His special monthly compensation claim is also remanded as he has not provided updated medical records or an updated VA examination.

The claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for cervical spine degenerative changes, but the appeal on CAD and diabetes mellitus type II was remanded due to lack of opinion from VA examiners. The Veteran's acne vulgaris disability remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding psychiatric disabilities, and requested additional development for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for renal insufficiency is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,The claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and B-cell lymphoma are reopened, but remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and reductions of evaluations. The primary focus is on determining whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to herbicide exposure or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease had improved and reduced his disability rating from 60% to 30%. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, rhinitis, and heart disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran must undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the increased rating claim for coronary artery disease.

The appeal for service connection for a heart condition and colonic polyps is dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for left ear pain, asthma, and COPD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, knee problems, PTSD, hypertension, heart issues, pulmonary conditions, vision problems, and fatigue. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct examinations to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post CABG was rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2007. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic congestive heart failure or specific workloads.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran did not have presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence failed to establish a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.