Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. Service connection was granted for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted the appeal seeking to establish that the character of the appellant’s discharge from service is not a bar to VA benefits, and referred the service connection claims for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to cervical spine strain, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and his spouse's request to substitute in the cause of death claim. The VA is also instructed to obtain the Veteran's autopsy report, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for Dr. J.A., and request a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for acne rosacea and heart disorder due to herbicide exposure, but the right knee issue is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran served on submarines in Vietnam, but further development is needed to determine if he was within the twelve nautical mile territorial seas of Vietnam while serving.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bladder cancer, heart disability, and CVA have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's in-service exposure or service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and CAD. The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD is denied, and his claim for service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to PTSD and CAD, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on CAD, are remanded.

Service connection for blurred vision, high blood pressure, chest pain, left foot disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, heart condition, sinus condition, right hand condition, and shin bone pain have been reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has not been established.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease was granted. His rating for coronary artery disease was restored to 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service, which could potentially grant service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment from January 5, 2011, to May 2, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being referred to the AOJ for further action on his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Board has not yet made a decision on whether he should receive an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease prior to December 7, 2015, or if service connection should be granted for a skin condition secondary to medication taken for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, ischemic heart disease, and left great toe disability were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection under the applicable presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a prostate disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. Appeals for other conditions were denied as untimely.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and heart disability. The reasons included that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, there was no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability or heart disability, and the Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disorder and cardiovascular renal disorder due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service.