Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, neurological problems in both legs (claimed as a neurological disorder), and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of service connection due to the lack of chronic symptoms related to these conditions during or immediately after service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of Ischemic Heart Disease, hypertension, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete records, lack of verification of periods of active duty, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral knee pain and granted it. The claims for flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a pain disorder, heart disease, carotid artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and insomnia are all denied.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease is granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure during service in Thailand.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision may be rendered regarding the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's arthritis, left wrist disability (left wrist disability), carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, eye disability, diabetes mellitus, residuals of stroke, heart disability, headache disability, and subdural hematoma are all being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for hearing loss and PTSD, effective date claims, and service connection claims. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post CABG and stent, including a retrospective medical opinion. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the underlying claim for an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including subclavian steal syndrome and carotid artery bypass surgery residuals, was not present during service or within one year of separation. The condition is also not causally related to his in-service accident and is more likely due to smoking and other health factors such as hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure, and his CAD rating is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his heart disorder, effective May 1, 2013.

The Veteran's heart, gastrointestinal, and neurological disorders were not found to be related to his active duty service or exposure to toxic chemicals. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of January 21, 2012, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim was not filed within one year of separation from service and thus the general rule applies, making April 8, 2016, the earliest date of claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and examinations related to his claimed disabilities.

The appeal for earlier effective date of service connection for ischemic heart disease is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The VA examination in December 2014 was inadequate for evaluation purposes due to the absence of METs testing and other required conditions. The case is being remanded as new evidence suggests worsening symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability as there was no evidence of an injury or incident during INACDUTRA duty that resulted in the Veteran's current condition.

The claims of service connection for thoracic scoliosis and a low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,The claims of service connection for a heart disability and hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) have been reopened, but the merits of these claims remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, and hairy cell leukemia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Board also denied service connection for these conditions as a result of herbicide exposure.