Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional examination. The issues include right elbow, left knee, and right knee conditions; PTSD; sleep apnea; hypertension; gastrointestinal condition; acid reflux; erectile dysfunction; neuropathy; diabetes mellitus; and heart condition.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure. The cases of hypertension and blood clots are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and hypertension (secondary to PTSD) due to missing records and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50%. The initial disability rating for ischemic heart disease remains at 10%. For the period prior to April 18, 2014, the initial disability rating for ulcerative colitis is granted at 60%. The initial compensation rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernias remains at 0%.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an extraschedular rating for coronary artery disease and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension. The issues of service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for hypertension, low back disability, and ischemic heart disease are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted on September 29, 2003, the date he originally filed his claim. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not legally possible.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and will consider whether appropriate medical inquiry should be conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and PTSD are not service-connected, and his CAD requires a new examination to determine its current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

Service connection for a back disorder (claimed as crooked spine) is denied.,Service connection for a lung disorder, claimed as spot on the lung, is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The lung condition and heart condition have both been remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, ischemic heart disease, a scar from heart surgery, and a residual scar on the left knee. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease and noting the Veteran did not serve in Korea during the presumptive period. The Board also remanded the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's end stage dementia was related to his military service and service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the conditions were first manifest during service.

The Board has denied service connection for Lyme disease and its residuals, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and bruxism. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea and radiation from his work on equipment. Additional development is needed to establish service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, ischemic heart disease, and various musculoskeletal disabilities. The case is remanded to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service treatment records from his time in the Alabama Army National Guard.