Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for sprain, both ankles is granted. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (lumbosacral disability), cervical strain, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are remanded. The claims of service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hand disability, and right hand disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 5, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to August 28, 2008, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities were dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and erectile dysfunction have been granted ratings. The spine disability and skin disability issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation. Diabetes mellitus is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to various issues including a need for additional development and examination, as well as potential service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of the right hand and coronary artery disease, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 24, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC claim as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The appeals are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicides during military service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes, glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, CAD/IHD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remand includes efforts to corroborate the Veteran’s exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Japan.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current heart condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's cause of death, complications of pneumonia, is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for medical opinions regarding potential service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, dermatitis, diabetes, and heart conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for accrued benefits purposes for the claimed conditions of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, benign neoplasm of the cerebral meninges, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy. The appellant withdrew her appeal prior to promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of vision impairment, bilateral hand condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but no specific effective date or rating assigned is provided.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease was reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service herbicide exposure near the base perimeter at U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, which is one of the facilities where herbicides were sprayed. Therefore, the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease (which is considered ischemic heart disease for VA purposes) was granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tricuspid regurgitation with pulmonary hypertension is granted. The claims for upper respiratory disability and right ankle disability are remanded.