Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's medical records did not establish exposure to ionizing radiation or herbicides during his period of service.,Service connection was also denied for a mood disorder as the cause is determined to be non-service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for unstable angina, brady-tachy syndrome s/p pacemaker implantation, and diabetes type 2 as secondary to herbicide exposure during active service. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of herbicide exposure or a link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes, hypertensive heart disease, PTSD, and major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease is denied because the competent evidence does not support an etiological relationship to active military service. The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed post-service.,PTSD and major depressive disorder are denied due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim seeks a rating in excess of 10 percent, but the maximum schedular rating is already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.,Non-service-connected pension eligibility is denied as the Veteran did not serve during a period of war.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to February 19, 2013. The Board found that the cumulative effects of his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease has rendered him unable to perform substantially gainful employment due to his functional impairments and medical history, leading the Board to grant a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for heart condition, hypertension, bladder cancer, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy symptoms. The issues of service connection for these conditions are all resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to March 7, 2017.

The Veteran's combined disability rating prior to January 19, 2011 was insufficient for a schedular TDIU. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is granted a 100 percent rating, effective May 7, 2018. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's death, and is requesting additional information and medical opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient research into whether the Veteran served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his presumptive service connection for a heart disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to lack of evidence showing wear and tear on his clothing. The case is remanded for further review regarding the bilateral knee braces.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for initial review by the AOJ due to additional evidence received after the September 2015 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran's heart condition and diabetes mellitus claims will be reconsidered with this new information.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at St. Vincent’s Ambulatory Care in Jacksonville, Florida on January 29, 2015 is denied because the treatment was not for an emergent condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as well as secondary service connection for COPD with bronchitis causing coronary artery disease. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure at Eglin AFB and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and prostate cancer, as secondary to PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents using JSRRC.

The Veteran's asthma with OSA has been granted a 60 percent rating, effective from November 16, 2012. The other issues have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.,For TDIU, the Veteran meets the schedular threshold requirement with multiple service-connected disabilities. However, he was found to be capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his education, special training, and previous work experience.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for heart disease, stroke with left-sided weakness, a left visual impairment associated with stroke with left-sided weakness, a seizure disorder associated with stroke with left-sided weakness, and a left auditory impairment associated with stroke with left-sided weakness. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.