Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's heart disability, including congestive heart failure and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, was not incurred in service or due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment for such condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a disagreement with the July 2017 decision regarding entitlement to a TDIU due exclusively to service-connected coronary artery disease since October 9, 2015. The remaining issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection are not currently supported by evidence demonstrating a current disability that began during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin cancer, right knee disability, and heart disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically on the USS Preble. The decision is pending further investigation.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his private hospitalization at LRMC from April 18th - 19th of 2013 are denied as he did not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations due to lack of prior authorization and partial coverage by Medicare Parts A and B.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, and the condition has manifested to a degree of at least 10 percent since service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung disease, and right knee disability due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating for coronary artery disease in excess of 30 percent prior to July 17, 2008 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and congestive heart failure are remanded due to uncertainty regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim for coronary artery disease is also remanded as it may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

Service connection is granted for left and right foot disabilities, myelodysplasia, emphysema, COPD, lung cancer, and ischemic heart disease.,Service connection is denied for sinus disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and skin cancer are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disorder and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records, including private medical records. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his TMJ and CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and securing substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with cardiomyopathy and HOCN, as well as diabetes mellitus type II due to Agent Orange exposure are granted. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disease, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right eye vision loss and left eye vision impairment, right foot amputation, and a heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.