Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a heart disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a written disagreement to the October 1994 rating decision, or any notation or correspondence attempting to reopen the claim prior to September 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his coronary artery disease may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 16, 2012 for service-connected coronary artery disease was granted. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence supports this finding as both private doctors have indicated a connection between the Veteran's diabetes and his heart conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange, while serving aboard the USS Lyman K. Swenson and thus service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease. The case is remanded for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of Barrett’s Esophagus.

The Veteran's heart disability (including coronary artery disease), hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for ischemic heart disease is denied as there is no diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The cases for a bilateral eye condition, heart disorder secondary to PTSD, and diabetes mellitus secondary to arthritic disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a kidney disability and denied all other issues on appeal. The Veteran's current kidney disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and completing a VA Form 21-4142 for the Vet Center in Harker Heights, Texas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and heart disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional records, provide examinations, and determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease is granted at a 60 percent prior to January 6, 2017. From January 6, 2017 onward, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any heart disability, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, kidney disability, or radiculopathy. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between systemic mastocytosis and coronary artery disease, as well as potential Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and a heart condition, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, need further development. The claims will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and personnel records from his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease was denied as the claim was filed more than one year after the effective date of the liberalizing law, and no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The appeal for service connection of hemorrhoids, heart condition, sinusitis, and urethritis is dismissed. The appeals to reopen claims for low back injury, neurological damage due to a back injury, residuals of head injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) are granted.