Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded three issues: heart condition, left leg burn, and right wrist scars. The heart condition issue requires a new examination to determine its etiology. For the left leg burn, another examination is needed due to incomplete documentation in the VA records. Right wrist scars need an examination to assess their current severity and any associated pain.

The Veteran's motion for an earlier effective date for IHD was dismissed.,The claim to reopen the erectile dysfunction and SMC loss of use of a creative organ claims, as well as the right knee disability claims, is denied.,The claim to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim is denied. The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to support this claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was reopened based on new evidence showing noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied prior to May 24, 2016. However, the Board granted a 100 percent rating effective from May 24, 2016.

The Veteran's lung cancer and coronary artery disease are granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his active duty in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence not being considered. The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to PTSD, need further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his presumed herbicide exposure, hypertension secondary to DM, neuropathy as secondary to DM, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional records and undergo further examinations.

The Veteran's heart disability, kidney disease, and peripheral arterial disease are all granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral iliac stents are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. A VA examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral DJD of the hands and heart disease to include CAD, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship between these conditions and service.,For DJD of the left knee, the Veteran received an initial evaluation of 10 percent based on X-ray evidence of arthritis with painful or limited motion. The Board denied any higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's IHD, including CAD, is rated at 30% since July 7, 2014. Prior to that date, a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 2013, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD. Effective September 13, 2013, the Veteran also had other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically the Veteran's OPM disability retirement records. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered with these records.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.,Tinnitus is remanded for a VA audiometric examination to determine its etiology.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for an updated VA examination and medical opinion considering the Veteran’s specific medical history.,Heart condition and high blood pressure are remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion addressing their relationship with service-connected conditions.,Adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood remains at issue, requiring an updated VA psychiatric examination.,Right knee instability and degenerative changes with internal derangement remain at issue, requiring an updated VA examination.,Left thigh scar and right hand scarring are remanded for increased ratings based on the Veteran's current medical records.,TDIU is remanded due to the Veteran’s service-connected conditions impacting his employment.,Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for any lung disorder remains at issue.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's CAD and diabetes are related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected peripheral arterial disease.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and ischemic heart disease as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and remanded the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to exposure to asbestos. The Veteran's claim for DM is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service, including herbicide exposure. For IHD, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if it is related to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic gastric cancer, and ischemic heart disease is a significant contributing condition. The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran’s service-connected frostbite residuals contributed to his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's heart condition and diabetes mellitus type II are being remanded for further investigation due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.