Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision also remanded several issues, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, earlier effective dates, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension claims have been dismissed.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim has been granted.,The following issues are remanded: service connection for a vision disability, vertigo, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and residuals of a cold weather injury, frostbite to the bilateral feet. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his TDIU claim is granted.,The Veteran's herniated lumbar disc/intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a TDIU rating due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant is seeking to be recognized as a helpless child of the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and stent placement.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disease are granted as service-connected, with the heart disease being secondary to his now-service connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at April 21, 2015, and a 60 percent rating is assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential in-service exposure to Agent Orange and will determine if the Veteran's heart disorder is related to this exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the disabilities and service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty. The claim for transverse myelitis is remanded as the evidence does not establish a direct relationship with service.,Service connection was granted for ischemic heart disease based on presumptive exposure to herbicides, but the claim for transverse myelitis remains pending due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran was awarded nonservice-connected pension for ischemic heart disease in 1983, and the Board found that he did not have a pending or previously denied claim for service connection related to this condition.

The Veteran's cardiac transplant is being remanded for further clarification on whether it was due to a presumptive herbicide-related heart condition.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for an exercise stress test, as his records indicate that his condition is asymptomatic and stable.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's facial rash. The remaining issues, including service connection for PTSD, CAD, hepatitis C, and varicocele, are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.