Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, including cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and was not shown to be attributable to any incident or event of his period of service, to include as a result of his exposure to herbicide in service.

The Veteran's lung cancer is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his in-service asbestos exposure. His heart disease, which he contends was caused by radiation treatment for his lung cancer, is also service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records pertinent to his coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim is also part of the increased rating claim and must be adjudicated.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service, and thus could not grant service connection for the Veteran's heart condition or genitourinary condition on a presumptive basis. The claim was denied as there is insufficient evidence to support direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and/or medical opinion regarding his housebound status or aid and attendance needs, as raised by his arguments in his brief and submitted evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The TDIU issue must also be appropriately developed.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (to include as secondary to hypertension).,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal for a reduction in the rating of his coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 30 percent was granted. Additionally, he was awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disability and other disabilities.

The Veteran does not have a current heart disability, and the Board finds that service connection for ischemic heart disease is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disorder (secondary to panic disorder with agoraphobia or hypertension), and a psychiatric disorder (other than panic disorder with agoraphobia) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is not related to his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for an addendum opinion from a physician with occupational and/or vocational expertise.

The February 2005 and August 2009 rating actions denied service connection for residuals of pneumonia and a heart disorder, respectively. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.,New evidence has been received but does not relate to the issues on appeal.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a heart condition, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that the Veteran's presumed exposure to Agent Orange and his diagnosed Ischemic Heart Disease meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, heart condition, and fatty liver condition. The issues are remanded pending adjudication.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss had its onset during his combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The heart disease claim is remanded as it involves a complex medical issue.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, in Korea. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.