Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is considered presumptively related to his service due to exposure in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The issues of increased rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right eye disorder, back disability and heart disorder. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD was not received until April 29, 2004.,Service connection for a heart disorder on a direct and presumptive basis was declined because no new and material evidence was received.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his workload or left ventricular dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy was granted effective February 2, 2006. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the first indication of a claim for service connection occurred on February 2, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for individual unemployability has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for nerve damage of the head and neck. The case is REMANDED for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely cause of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of in-country exposure and identification of any prostate disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining his missing service medical records and personnel records. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for each of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and heart condition have been granted, with the hearing loss receiving a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as due to herbicide exposure during service at Takhli RTAF base in Thailand.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, post-myocardial infarction and angioplasty/stenting, is rated at 100% since October 2, 2017. He also has other service-connected disabilities that meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and his presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for a low back disability and coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding no new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to be related to service, including alleged herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, during his service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease as these conditions are not presumed due to exposure to herbicides.