Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The claim for service connection for a skin disorder is remanded. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, but the claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient information to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents, and therefore remands the case for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral foot disability, heart disability, skin disorder (claimed shaving problems), and allergic rhinitis due to environmental hazard exposure. The Veteran is presumed to have had environmental exposures during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had 'boots on the ground' in Vietnam during a TDY assignment, which qualifies him for presumptive service connection for CAD and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance is granted as the evidence shows he needed regular aid and assistance at the time of his September 2011 informal claim.

The Veteran's upper and lower back disabilities, as well as his heart attack and migraines, are currently rated at the lowest possible level (10 percent) due to their limited functional impairment.,His hypothyroidism is not rated higher because it does not cause significant symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart condition, specifically coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and provide a supplemental opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's heart problems were service-connected and if they contributed to his death. The VA will review the file and provide an opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's development of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)/Heart Disease due to the prescribing of Rosiglitazone in October 2002.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for chloracne due to herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a heart disability is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, specifically the Veteran's assertion of in-service symptoms that could relate to his current heart disability. Service connection remains remanded as further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, granting service connection for hypertension. The Board also granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to hypertension. The cause of death is attributed to coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically depression.,There were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's heart disability and PTSD have been reviewed, but the appeal is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied, while the claims for peripheral neuropathy and prostate disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's heart disease was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for his heart disease is denied.

The Board finds that additional development is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death, including cardiac arrest and renal failure.