Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Appellant did not have current bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues were also addressed but are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam and to obtain his medical records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and did not establish an in-service incurrence or connection to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and left interior carotid artery (LICA) occlusion can be adjudicated. The Veteran's LICA occlusion condition may be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, but a VA examination is required to determine this relationship.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches.,Service connection was not granted for ischemic heart disease due to lack of evidence of a current disability. Service connection was also not granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with somatoform disorder NOS and coronary artery disease rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 14, 2010, to October 17, 2012.

The Board finds that the appellant's current cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease and sick sinus syndrome, is related to his active service, particularly given his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to major depressive disorder was granted, and his left knee disability with prosthesis is rated at 30 percent since January 1, 2016.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease (CAD) are found to be related to in-service herbicide exposure. The claims for service connection for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and the acquisition of updated medical records.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including pericarditis and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, are not service-connected. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The reduction of the disability rating for the Veteran's CAD from 60 percent to 10 percent was proper.

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claims of service connection for residuals of herbicide exposure, including prostate cancer, impotence, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a heart disorder. The evidence received since the final rating decisions does not establish new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 23, 2014 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease as there was no evidence that the Veteran met all eligibility criteria for the liberalized benefit on the effective date of the liberalizing law and continuously from that date to the date of claim or administrative determination of entitlement.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss claim remains denied. The low back disability issue has been remanded for further examination. Service connection is established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, a heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and chest pain/myocardial infarction (MI) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for rheumatic heart disease, amyloid cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, and implanted automatic defibrillator was denied as no prior claims were pending at the time of the December 2014 rating decision.