Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include right bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further research into his exposure to herbicide agents in service, specifically related to C-123 aircraft at Kadena Air Base.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic valve replacement (also claimed as heart disease) has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim, but further development is needed due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied, but the Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's PTSD with mood disorder is also granted, and a new examination is needed to determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD with pacemaker, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to attend to the wants of nature and a mental incapacity that requires care and assistance on a regular basis. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these service-connected conditions cause the Veteran to be in need of actual personal assistance from others, thus granting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and residuals of bladder cancer are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, but denied claims for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's urinary disability (prostatitis), though it was not diagnosed until after service.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and associated conditions. These include rating for the condition, a compensable rating for a surgical scar as secondary to the coronary artery disease, special monthly compensation for housebound benefits, eligibility for Dependents' Educations Assistance, and TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with a combined evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for clubbing of toes, acute conjunctivitis, stomatitis, hypertension, DM, and coronary artery disease are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of in-service events, injuries or diseases. The exposure to herbicide agents was not established and presumptive service connection is not applicable.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 4, 2012 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no legally valid basis presented in this case for the assignment of any earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart disorders and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and coronary artery disease for further development. The Veteran's claims are not yet fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service personnel records, need for additional VA examinations, and receipt of new evidence. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions including arthritis, bilateral cataracts, respiratory disorder, heart disease, hypertension, blood disorder, diabetes mellitus, and liver disorder.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, and heart disability due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service and the absence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, Heart Disorder, and Hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure. Additional evidence is needed, including VA medical examinations and opinions on the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (manifested as arrhythmia) and hypertension was granted, with the latter being aggravated by diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, coronary heart failure, and atrial fibrillation was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to evaluate his current degree of impairment for service-connected coronary artery disease.