Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for pericarditis is granted. Service connection for a heart disability and an ulnar nerve disability are remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. Service connection for peripheral artery disease due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the claim requires a medical opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's heart condition resulting in a pacemaker implantation is not service-connected, and remanded for further action to consider direct service connection as well as secondary service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded several other claims due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the case. The new evidence includes a private medical opinion diagnosing PTSD as exacerbated by complications of surgery related to CAD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to asbestos exposure during his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure and follow such employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for ischemic heart disease was reopened due to new evidence but the underlying claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, heart disability, and cervical spine disability are granted. However, the heart disability claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis, and the cervical spine disability claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to August 21, 2007 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD), status post coronary artery bypass surgery and placement of automatic implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD).,An earlier effective date was not granted as there is no basis in law to do so.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right-knee condition and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that the current rating of 30 percent for each condition was appropriate based on the evidence showing no severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and GERD disabilities. The heart condition claim was denied, but the Veteran has submitted private treatment records that show ongoing issues with his heart.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected atherosclerotic heart disease and status-post coronary artery bypass grafting do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral foot disability, and service connection for brain disease have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for sleep disorder has been reopened, as well as the claims for chest tightness with muscle spasms and short term memory loss.

The Veteran's heart disability is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service, and the current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure while stationed at Korat RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his skin conditions. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease and is presumed exposed to herbicides at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, but further evidence is needed to determine if he had other service-connected skin conditions.