Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus due to withdrawal by the appellant. The cases for coronary artery disease and mood disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, but the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is unclear due to lack of recent medical evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran's conditions are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss in the right ear during the appeal period.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (rhinitis, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea), CAD, autoimmune insufficiency with orthostatic hypotension and memory problems, and hyperlipidemia is denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder is denied as the Veteran did not step foot in Vietnam or have other qualifying service. The Board found subjective arthralgia but acknowledged the Veteran's competence to report on his symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart disability due to new and material evidence. However, the issue is remanded as further development is needed regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also failed to meet the requirements for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder and remanded it to allow for further development of the evidence.

The Veteran's increased ratings for type 2 diabetes and PTSD are denied. The issues of service connection for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease are remanded.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of a motorized wheelchair (a Permobil Power Wheelchair) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his wheelchair tends to wear or tear his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the lack of evidence showing an objective worsening of his condition prior to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and anxiety disorder, NOS due to insufficient evidence of current severity from previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations to determine if his conditions have worsened.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.,The Veteran's heart condition, including PVCs, is being remanded as the VA examination report did not address his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted since February 28, 2017 due to having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for meningitis, heart disease, and peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities due to a lack of medical nexus opinions. The Veteran's current diagnoses need to be confirmed and linked to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and met the criteria for service connection under the Agent Orange Act.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including providing proper notice and obtaining updated death certificates. The appeal is related to service connection for cause of death and entitlement to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status post-acute myocardial infarction, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran exposed to herbicides based on credible evidence of his work near the perimeter of Thai Air Force Bases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease, both of which are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or to the contaminated water exposure.