Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence being added to his case file.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, sleep disorder, and hypertension due to new evidence. However, it denied reopening of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as well as service connection for headaches, diabetes mellitus, COPD, and chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for service-connected coronary atherosclerotic heart disease is granted from November 12, 2012 to February 13, 2013. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea disability and restless leg syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD, are at least in equipoise with his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for spinal stenosis in cervical region, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus (type II) due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, as there was no indication of intent to apply for this condition prior to August 9, 2013. The effective date remains at August 9, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current status and severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and referral of a service connection issue for atrial fibrillation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for the cause of death and verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, but there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded three issues: left hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are being referred back to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient appeal on some issues and a need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart condition, which may be related to his active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and heart conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The appeal of service connection for malaise and fatigue, independent of service-connected CAD, is denied.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a heart condition, left hand numbness, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected mental disabilities is granted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected GERD is granted.,Heart disability and polyps are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied due to the lack of a formal or informal claim prior to June 6, 2007. The effective date cannot be earlier than the date of receipt of the claim.

All claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The appeal is granted.