Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all issues on appeal in June 2018 and July 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, skin disability, cognitive disability, heart disability, head/neck knots, and left arm tingling/numbness. The Veteran's exposure to loud noise during service was not contested.

The Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for ischemic heart disease and for an earlier effective date for entitlement to special monthly pension based on housebound status have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the service connection claims, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's vision disability was not service-connected as there were no chronic eye disorders during or after service.,Prostate cancer was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to active service, and the Board accepted VA's concession that the Veteran served at Camp Lejeune. The medical opinion concluded prostate cancer is not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, left foot and ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment for the periods where his combined rating was less than total.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a respiratory disability and heart disability due to lack of an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disorder and anemia. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any impairment or diagnoses of a headache disability or disabilities of the hip, knees, legs, ankles, feet, a deviated septum, or a heart disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, which were presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as atherosclerotic heart disease, but the Board found no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Board determined that there was no exposure to herbicides during service and no other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for heart disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease rating, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease for purposes of retroactive benefits under Nehmer v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs, finding that the Veteran had ischemic heart disease prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, scar disability, anxiety, and heart condition due to lack of a VA examination. The issues are related to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran is also seeking nonservice-connected pension, but his claim remains pending as he filed another claim after the initial denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive heart disease and cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals on all issues, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, neuropathy, and left knee disability. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.