Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for hypertensive heart disease, but granted a compensable rating (10%) for hypertension. The appeal was remanded for further action on other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, chloracne, and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, and for seeking additional lay evidence from the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to February 23, 2019 and granted a 100% rating from that date forward. For prostate cancer residuals, the claim was denied as there was no local recurrence or metastasis since radiation treatment concluded in 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and its residuals, as well as his claims for diabetes mellitus, insomnia, a disorder manifested by dizziness, a headache disorder, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to uncertainty about his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The AOJ must verify if the USS Coral Sea entered inland waterways or territorial sea extending 12 nautical miles from the shores of Vietnam during the Veteran's time on board.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of examination. The Veteran's coronary artery disease and related scars are denied as not being related to active duty service.

The Veteran's cause of death, severe atherosclerotic coronary heart disease with old myocardial infarction and cardiomegaly, is considered presumptive to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 1, 2015 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's CAD and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since that date.

The Veteran's service on the U.S.S. Rowan near Vietnam is confirmed, but it is unclear if they entered the 12 nautical mile territorial sea. The Board has ordered a remand to verify this.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a heart disability due to insufficient verification of claimed in-service stressors and herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry from January 1965 to at least July 1965 needs to be verified.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for a heart condition previously claimed as abnormal EKG and hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and a heart disorder due to lack of verification regarding reported asbestos exposure in service. The claims are now pending again with instructions to undertake development based on this exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, but a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's CAD from April 25, 2008 to February 16, 2010 was granted at the 10 percent level. From February 16, 2010 to January 20, 2016, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied. After January 20, 2016, a rating in excess of 60 percent is denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran is granted a temporary 100% rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease from April 10, 2015 to August 1, 2015 due to myocardial infarction. From August 1, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's CAD warrants a 60% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities since October 18, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the cases of left knee condition, heart condition secondary to hypertension, left elbow dislocation with hypertrophic spur, and fracture of the right fifth metatarsal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft with aortic valve (root) replacement was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for aortic aneurysm from October 4, 2014 was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) due to exposure to herbicide agents and stroke residuals, secondary to now service connected ASHD on a causation basis. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.