Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial flutter (heart condition), finding that it is less likely than not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension or thyroidectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions, including coronary artery disease, right knee replacement, right knee burn scar with right knee surgical scars, left knee and femur disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, left hip disability, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee arthritis were previously denied, but new evidence has reopened these claims. Service connection is granted for CAD.,Service connection for left and right knee arthritis was denied as they are not secondary to the service-connected left tibia fracture. However, service connection for CAD is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, coronary artery disease, bilateral nephropathy (claimed as kidney disease), and neuropathies in the upper and lower extremities have all been denied.,Service connection was not established for any of these conditions due to a lack of medical evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's skin disorder claim is remanded. The RO reduced the Veteran’s disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 30% to 10%, effective April 1, 2014, and this decision is being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes, have prevented him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating prior to May 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's heart conditions and their relation to service, particularly his exposure to chemicals in the printing field. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for consideration of new evidence related to asbestos exposure and its potential link to heart disease.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease and lung cancer were related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. Service connection is presumed due to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's MRSA infection is not service-connected as it did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's heart disorder to his military service. The condition was first noted after he left active duty and is more likely related to alcohol use.,The Veteran does not have a compensable level of hypertension within one year of separation from service, nor is there any evidence that it is linked to service or exposure to toxins/chemicals/asbestos.,High cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis.,Prior to October 17, 2018, the Veteran’s left shoulder symptomatology more closely approximated a range of motion deficit as being no greater than shoulder level. From October 17, 2018 and thereafter, the Veteran's left shoulder range of motion was limited to no greater than shoulder level.,Prior to October 17, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar spine symptomatology more closely approximated a range of motion of greater than 30 degrees of flexion but less than 60 degrees of flexion. From October 17, 2018 and thereafter, the Veteran's lumbar spine range of motion was greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees.,Prior to October 17, 2018, the Veteran demonstrated painful motion of the left ankle. From October 17, 2018 and thereafter, the Veteran demonstrated a moderate limitation of motion of the left ankle.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of heart disabilities. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service-connected based on in-service exposures.

The Veteran's heart disorder is granted as secondary to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for renal cancer and a heart disability, both related to Agent Orange exposure, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's migraines do not result in characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months, thus denying an initial compensable rating.,There is no evidence of arthritis during service or within one year post-service, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began in service. The claim for arthritis is denied.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with residuals of circumcision of the penis at any time relevant to this appeal. His reports of symptoms do not constitute evidence of a current disability, even if they are related to his service. The claim for residuals of circumcision of the penis is denied.,Coronary artery disease did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for coronary artery disease is denied.,A lumbar spine disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Right ankle and right foot disabilities are not secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as there is no evidence of such a relationship. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.