Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure. The VA will conduct further development, including obtaining personnel records and verifying the Veteran's alleged exposure to Agent Orange during his service aboard U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Coral Sea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted on a secondary basis, with the aggravation being due to his service-connected right foot and ankle injuries.,Service connection for congestive heart failure and residuals of transient ischemic attacks (stroke) were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits as his total disability rating prior to death was less than eight years.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, posttraumatic stress disorder, prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his service-connected rheumatic heart disease and surgical scar.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings, service connection claims, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, and the effective date is set at February 12, 2004. The Board denied an earlier effective date as there were no prior claims filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for post-CABG CAD is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for HTN, which may be due to Agent Orange exposure or secondary to his service-connected heart disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims for prostate condition, kidney stones, cysts on adrenal glands, vestibular dysfunction with vertigo, balance issues, and nausea, as well as acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and mood disorder) are remanded for further development.

Service connection was denied for lung condition, ED secondary to PTSD, and IHD. The Veteran's PTSD disability has a 50% evaluation since March 27, 2014, but an effective date prior to November 30, 2015 is denied.,IHD received a 30% evaluation in August 2017, but an effective date prior to August 10, 2017 is also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea. However, the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected glaucoma, headaches, or sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent effective April 5, 2013.,The Veteran was granted service connection for hypertension on this date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for verification of the Veteran's service within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam, as this could affect his presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need for new evidence and clarification regarding his history of myocardial infarction.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appellant was successful in establishing that her husband's death was caused by his service-connected condition.