Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other incidents that could have caused these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a heart condition, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and an initial rating in excess of 30% for CAD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's heart condition, which includes a history of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, requires continuous medication for control. The evidence does not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his heart conditions, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him throughout the appeal period. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease requires regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted effective November 26, 2003. The Board found that the earliest medical evidence of record is from February 17, 2004 and thus an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is set at December 16, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease remains pending as there is no clear rule that would allow a retroactive effective date prior to the date of his formal claim under FDC rules.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and a seizure disorder due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's service in the Army Reserve and Massachusetts Army National Guard. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining relevant service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and heart condition, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or any in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his active duty service and any diagnosed heart condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded. The earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) is also remanded due to the need for additional records and adjudication of a CUE claim.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and right thumb injury were granted with effective dates of October 30, 2012. The claim for a right wrist condition and acquired psychiatric disorder was accepted as timely.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for prostate cancer, do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence and a new VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The specific issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected disabilities and a claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia). The decision found no new evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was not granted for the heart condition or acquired psychiatric disorders due to lack of a medical link to service.