Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure is denied. Service connection for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cause of death and whether his service-connected diabetes contributed to it. The appellant needs to provide additional medical records and the VA must obtain a new opinion on these issues.

The Veteran is granted a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands, resulting from service-connected peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension, but denied the claim for service connection for heart disorder. The hypertension claim is being reviewed to determine if it is related to herbicide exposure or diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of coronary artery disease were denied. The application to reopen the claim for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability and hypertension due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for compliance with prior remand directives and to obtain VA treatment records from September 13, 2012, to April 29, 2015. The issues of service connection for a heart disorder and palatal gingiva pseudo epitheliomatous hyperplasia are still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service and current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II was reopened due to new evidence. However, both conditions were denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury/aggravation.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The decision does not address service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, verify any trip ashore to Vietnam, and provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including acute myocardial infarction, is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The cause of death is also granted as the service-connected condition caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, an acute kidney condition, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral artery disease, as they are not related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding AL Amyloidosis and because these issues are inextricably intertwined with the service connection for AL Amyloidosis.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease is restored effective December 1, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability records, and an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's spouse's statements.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for right fibula fracture with continuing ankle disability and service connection for a heart disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.