Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for allergic rhinitis was denied, and his claim for coronary artery disease under the 1151 statute was also denied. The Board found that there was no new evidence received since the August 2010 rating decision to reopen the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s CAD, valvular heart disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and cardiac arrest with multiple stent placements began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as his education, training, and work history allow for employment despite his conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient reasons provided by the VA examiner regarding its onset in or relation to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in Korea. Additional evidence is needed to verify the Veteran's service on the DMZ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, headaches, and an increased evaluation of GERD were granted. The Veteran's GERD is rated at the maximum 60 percent disability level due to significant weight loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, CAD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the requirements for qualifying service.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The right below-the-knee amputation claim is remanded as it may be related to the service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient information on the current level of disability caused by his service-connected conditions. The Board requires updated assessments from VA examiners.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a below the knee amputation, secondary to coronary artery disease. The reduction from 100 percent to 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was found proper.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his current disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including right eye condition, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and liver condition all potentially related to service in the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA medical records since May 2016. These issues will be reconsidered with these new records included.

The Veteran's urinary frequency, due to his service-connected hypertension and medication use, is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee and foot disorders, heart disorder, eye injury residuals, Meniere’s Syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities, left shoulder injury, right wrist disorder, fractured ribs, ear disorder (excluding hearing loss), tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bleeding disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded for further action on a claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and associated scars are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during service, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can perform most daily functions on his own with the help of his spouse.