Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and PTSD rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment as of December 30, 2006. Effective from that date, he is entitled to a TDIU rating and SMC at the housebound rate.

The appeals pertaining to various conditions and service connection issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and kidney cancer have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or PTSD, and the evidence did not support a finding that the claimed stressors occurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, both of which are diseases recognized as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's duties at the Udorn RTAFB in Thailand likely exposed him to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for panic disorder, coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), insomnia, and fatigue have been denied. The VA examiners found no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty.,Service connection cannot be granted as there is no clear and specific diagnosis with known etiology during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture to the fifth finger of his left hand is granted. The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at a military base in Thailand and has been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, which is listed as a presumptive condition due to herbicide exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and sustaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, finding no current disability and that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to potential issues with verifying in-service stressors and a need for further examination regarding employment impact.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have been granted. However, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability. The initial ratings for other conditions are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson’s disease. The decision also denied his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's death was ruled due to cardiopulmonary arrest, fatal myocardial infarction, and coronary artery disease. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s coronary artery disease to his service, as it was first diagnosed more than 26 years after discharge. The Board concluded that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury are found to have aggravated his coronary artery disease, which is granted as secondary. His chronic venous insufficiency is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise for granting service connection for a back disability as secondary to his service-connected disabilities including coronary artery disease and chronic venous insufficiency.

The Board has expanded the scope of the Veteran’s claims to encompass any knee or heart diagnosis raised by the record. The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, increased PTSD rating, and TDIU due to inadequate reasoning in previous decisions.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims for heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and urinary incontinence. The Veteran's claim for reopening of his heart disorder is denied. Service connection for these conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and stomach condition have also been reopened, with the underlying claims remaining denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar facet arthropathy with mild spondylosis, effective from September 19, 2012. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease (CAD) is also granted. A 10 percent disability rating for hypertension is assigned and effective as of August 31, 2011.