Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, heart disability, and hypertension. The decision found no evidence of a current disability related to military service or an undiagnosed illness due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues, including reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigning initial ratings for other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals regarding heart disability, prostate disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, retinopathy, cervical spine disability, diabetic nephropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied attorney fees from past-due benefits associated with the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease in May 2016, as the Veteran was already receiving military retired pay and thus no cash payment to him.

The Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a relationship with his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's heart and kidney conditions were not covered under the Nehmer class, so retroactive benefits for these conditions prior to January 7, 1987 are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to service, specifically Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, including ulcers and dyspepsia, has been reopened. His current diagnosis of dyspepsia is related to his military service. Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam has also been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension are granted. However, the claim for hypertension is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, initial rating for ischemic heart disease, effective date for hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease have been rated at 70% disabling since May 27, 2011. The Board finds that these conditions alone are sufficient to prevent the Veteran from securing or following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to pulmonary embolism, which is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by VA care, and will address this issue after obtaining an appropriate specialist's opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and for an effective date prior to June 12, 2013, for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, as secondary to COPD, and for TDIU due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion. The Veteran's current heart disorders are being evaluated in light of his service-connected COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriatic arthritis and a heart condition due to herbicide exposure. The claims will be reviewed again with the provision of an examination by a VA clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease (IHD), as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show that the heart disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia, back disorder, left ankle disorder, heart disorder, lower intestinal disorder, and hemorrhoids. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a skin condition and heart condition were withdrawn prior to the issuance of a Board decision. The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, is remanded. The appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. The appeal for TDIU is also remanded.