Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a chronic heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a chronic heart disability due to lack of current diagnosis, no in-service injury or disease related to the conditions, and insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has determined that all issues on appeal must be remanded to ensure proper development, including obtaining service personnel records and private treatment records. VA examinations are also required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including respiratory issues and cardiovascular conditions, as they were not related to the Veteran's active duty or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current respiratory disability other than pleural plaques, which was already service connected. The COPD he claimed was determined to be unrelated to his in-service asbestos exposure and secondary to tobacco use.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from May 1 to August 28, 2011, and from October 1, 2011, is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining additional private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected scars associated with coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is denied as there was no confirmed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam and the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder did not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to July 3, 2012.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as he has no episodes of congestive heart failure and his left ventricular ejection fraction is normal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis, had its initial onset during his second period of active service and is related to that service. The heart disease claim will be remanded for additional development as it involves a complex medical issue. Sleep apnea claims are also remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or aggravation during service.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. The Board found that these conditions were not related to his active service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or lung cancer, and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he was exposed to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.,Regarding mental health disability, the evidence is in equipoise that it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory and heart conditions are not related to his service, and his right knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive heart disease, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or to service-connected ischemia.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on his left ventricular ejection fraction, which has been found to be at worst 39 percent.

The appeal is not ready for review due to the need to verify herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and a breathing disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his alcoholism, but not for his coronary artery disease (CAD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or hernia condition.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, finding that neither radiation exposure in service nor any other service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection was granted for any conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.