Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral temporomandibular degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety and panic disorders and agoraphobia are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), status post coronary artery bypass graft/stent placement, finding that the severity of the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease, as it is unclear whether there is a link between these conditions based on the provided medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the appellant withdrew her appeal in June 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for diabetes mellitus were denied. The coronary artery disease was rated at 60% prior to November 30, 2012, and the scars received a 20% rating from August 16, 2017 onwards. Diabetes mellitus did not meet the criteria for any compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, retinopathy, and onychomycosis as claimed due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show the Veteran set foot in Vietnam or was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disability, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, was not shown to be related to his active service. The Board found insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicides and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure. Additionally, there is no direct evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal began, and there is no evidence that it warrants a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his military service. The medical evidence did not show these conditions were caused by in-service events or related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and lack of development regarding in-service exposures. The appellant must provide more details about her assertions of exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition and there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide VA treatment records from January 25, 2005 to August 4, 2017. The appeal is being remanded due to this missing information.

The appeal seeking service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for muscle aches and joint pain, right knee disability, upper and lower back disability, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), heart disorder, headache disability, and irritable colon syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), kidney disease with renal failure and periodic bladder infection, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was denied for tendonitis of all joints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, anoxic encephalopathy, and primary lung cancer have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or the in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent. The cases for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure.,The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition and kidney disorder.

The Board has denied reopening of the claims for hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for these conditions are remanded as additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's service on the USS Worden.