Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and non-Hodgkins lymphoma due to exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Jackson or Fort Leonard Wood. The Veteran also requested a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected disabilities, which is inextricably intertwined with the remanded claims.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, status post coronary bypass graft, from 100 percent to 60 percent was proper. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and SSA records, as well as a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's heart disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of heart disability or fatigue, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims for left knee and depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and a VA examination for his coronary artery disease. The claim will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and adjudication, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 30 percent for his coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied because the evidence does not show that he has congestive heart failure, a workload of less than five METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left side pain, dizziness, or hypertension that is related to service. The bilateral eye disorder and coronary artery disease are also remanded for further development.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of cataracts, arcus senilis, pinguecula, and refractive error need clarification regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asbestosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chloracne, peripheral artery disease, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.,The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service on the USS Perry in Vietnam. His claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The claims for hypertension, hepatitis B, kidney stones, hemochromatosis, and malaria are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in November 2008 and November 2009, but he was granted a 100% rating for hypertensive heart disease effective August 5, 2015. The Board is remanding the case to determine an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his need for aid and attendance and housebound status. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Colonial in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, clinical right L5-S1 lumbar radiculopathy, and clinical left L5-S1 lumbar radiculopathy.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, heart disorder, and vision loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for right hand arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, circulatory problems, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not manifest within one year of service separation or are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, finding that it is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for reopening of service connection for headaches, back condition, appendicitis, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, non-obstructive coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.