Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, as there is insufficient evidence to verify his presence in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for multiple sclerosis and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart disorder and his military service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is dismissed. The earlier effective date prior to July 26, 2011 for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied. Service connection for a heart disability as secondary to service-connected hypertension is granted.

Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increased ratings for headaches and hearing loss, and service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are also granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary herbicide exposure, as he provided sufficient detail in his statements. The AOJ must verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Charleston Air Force Base.

The Veteran's increased rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the lack of review of relevant medical records and the need for a more recent examination.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2001 to April 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media and stomach ulcers (GERD) as secondary to a deviated septum, but remanded for further development due to incomplete VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and heart disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the prostate cancer claim, and the heart disability claim was not granted due to lack of a causal relationship with service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and polycystic kidney disease due to herbicide exposure. The claims will be reconsidered in light of a new regulation allowing presumptive service connection based on exposure to C-123 aircraft during Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, along with other service-connected conditions, have resulted in a TDIU from August 23, 2012 to January 14, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various heart disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and valvular heart disease, as well as atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, super ventricular arrhythmia, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current heart disabilities and herbicide agent exposure during service.

The appeal for service connection and increased ratings has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation and enlarged aorta, was caused by or resulted from levothyroxine/Synthroid medication administered during VA care. The case is now pending for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, liver cancer, hepatitis C with liver cirrhosis, multiple myeloma, and acquired psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever and gout are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records, which could affect whether the Veteran served in Vietnam and thus determine if he is entitled to VA benefits for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II.