Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for defective bilateral hearing was reopened. Service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The initial, noncompensable rating for deviated septum prior to May 1, 2015 is granted. A rating greater than 10 percent for deviated septum from May 1, 2015 is denied. Service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as it is now moot.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and hypertension are rated at 60 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The claim for increased ratings is denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to verify service dates and obtain relevant medical records, including private mental health records. The examiner will provide opinions on whether each condition is related to or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury related to IHD. The Veteran's death prevented further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and aortic valve stenosis. The Board found that these conditions were not related to his military service and did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for prostate cancer residuals from August 1, 2014. The claims for service connection of IHD and DM II are remanded due to lack of recent medical records and need for new VA examinations. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease is granted as service connected due to presumed Agent Orange exposure. The skin condition issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's zoster herpes simplex is remanded to determine if it is related to his in-service treatment for viral meningitis.,The Veteran's blurred vision is remanded to determine if it is related to diabetes.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded to determine if it is related to diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, finding the Veteran's duties brought him to the Korean DMZ where he was exposed to herbicide agents. The conditions are presumed due to exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his knee, heart, right shoulder, or left shoulder conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative mitral regurgitation/valve replacement, finding that the Veteran's MVP existed prior to service and was aggravated by physical training during service. The condition is now considered incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for muscle fatigue, heart disability, skin disability, joint pain, and left knee strain. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional compensation based on his dependent spouse was denied as he did not provide sufficient information about his and his spouse's marital history within one year of receiving notification from VA.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to respiratory failure, blastomycosis, lung cancer, atrial fibrillation, and DVT. The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease was not found to be a material or contributory cause of his death.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are presumed due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD and depression), and alcoholism due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to verify the claimed stressor.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including liver damage, a painful spot on the abdomen, and heart disease. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.