Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) during a specific period. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD), status post myocardial infarction, prior to September 15, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and the cause of death due to septic shock, attributing these findings to the Veteran's now-service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease, and if so, whether it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 7, 2011 for a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD). The evidence did not show that CAD warranted such a high rating between April 1, 2006 and March 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands is dismissed as he withdrew it.,Service connection granted for unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder. The Board found that his current diagnosis is related to in-service experiences and denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.,Service connection denied for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran's service in Okinawa did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II based on exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's Vietnam Era service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. Service connection is not granted as there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the increase in severity of his bilateral hearing loss did not occur within one year prior to November 7, 2016.,A higher rating for ischemic heart disease was granted with a 100% disability rating effective from February 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his death.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's coronary artery disease warrants a 60 percent evaluation since August 9, 2018.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disorder present during the pendency of this claim, including whether it is related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and heart disability, finding no evidence of in-service events or diseases that could be linked to these conditions. The Veteran's lung cancer was not shown to be related to herbicide exposure, and his heart disability did not manifest within one year after separation.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure have been rated at 60 percent since May 11, 2012. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the claim was received on July 12, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service. The Board found that there was no exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma (as secondary to diabetes), respiratory allergies disability, heart disability, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board is unable to determine the cause of death due to lack of autopsy, and thus remands for a VA medical opinion on whether ischemic heart disease or pulmonary embolism was more likely related to service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection as the Veteran died before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and thus, the presumptive service connection provisions apply.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and thyroid disease are remanded.,Her claims for increased disability evaluations for hypertensive heart disease with intermittent sinus tachycardia and high blood pressure are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of higher rating for PTSD, service connection for hearing loss, heart condition, sinusitis, left ankle and knee conditions, scar of right eyebrow, and tinnitus. The RO is directed to address these issues.