Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and ischemic heart disease are granted due to direct service connection, with ischemic heart disease being presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as well as the claim for TDIU. The VA will seek additional records and verify any secret missions or training that may have exposed the Veteran to Agent Orange or other harmful substances.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a heart disability is dismissed. The claims to reopen for PTSD, left knee degenerative joint disease and effusion (also claimed as arthritis), and right knee meniscectomy are also dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the earliest date of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure all relevant medical records are considered in evaluating his claims. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shin splints, coronary artery disease, moyamoya disease, and residuals of a stroke. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions incurred during her active military service or related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC benefits based on housebound criteria is denied because the earliest possible effective date is May 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are etiologically related to his exposure to chemical and environmental hazards, including herbicide agents, during service at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claim, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right arm condition and heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. The case is being remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of herbicide agent exposure during service, and for obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, shaving bumps, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression), and TDIU prior to October 11, 2011 were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, including whether it is a congenital disease or defect, and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 5, 2006. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and right hand are both rated at 10 percent each. His demyelinating neuropathies of the lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent each. His chronic ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 20, 2016.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical evidence.

The Veteran's cause of death (atherosclerotic heart disease) was not incurred in service or is otherwise related to service.,There were no VA benefits due and unpaid at the time of the Veteran's death, nor was there a pending claim for VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and heart disability due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection, including a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a heart disability is granted, and the claim of service connection for a heart disability as secondary to PTSD is also granted.