Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus Type II, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and coronary artery disease. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records and verifying the ship's location during the Veteran's Vietnam service.

The Veteran's kidney dysfunction, colon cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), liver dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus type II are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his time in service at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions is denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between his current disabilities and exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune during service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his skin cancer residuals did not contribute substantially or materially to his death and were unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as coronary artery disease, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore could not establish exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for his knee conditions was granted, but these were not deemed causative of his death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further adjudication to determine if the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect their claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of coronary artery disease has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart condition, and multiple lipomas on whole body due to a stay regarding naval service and presumed herbicide exposure. Further development is required as it is unclear whether the USS Annapolis served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and bilateral foot rash have been granted. The claim for lung cancer as a result of herbicide exposure is remanded. The claim for PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, which is secondary to coronary artery disease and post-myocardial infarction. The Board dismissed this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, both secondary to herbicide exposure while serving at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB). The claims for tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, including as due to herbicide agent exposure (PACT Act), was granted. The claim for arrythmia (heart condition) was denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as presumptively related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents aboard the USS Eaton.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease, finding that his preexisting condition was not aggravated during service and that new evidence did not change this conclusion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease with cardiac arrhythmia and scars from coronary artery bypass surgery are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA medical records, including those in VISTA.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation, Sleep Apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder), and initial compensable evaluation for Hypertension. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran’s exposure to toxic chemicals at Chanute Air Force Base.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, including myopericarditis, as there is no current evidence of a residual disability and the in-service episode was self-limiting.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as whether any diagnosed heart disorder was related to service or aggravated by the lung condition.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection, including those for pulmonary disorder, neurological disorder, sinus disorder, kidney disorder, right knee disorder, numbness of the left side of the face, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding these issues during a hearing before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, gout, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular accident residuals, concussion residuals, right shoulder disorder, and scar on the back of head as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service separation.