Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a prostate disorder is allowed. The appeal is granted to that extent only, and the claims of entitlement to service connection for a prostate disorder and heart disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bathroom modifications, including a walk-in shower with safety bars, are medically necessary to provide access to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities due to his service-connected disabilities. The improvements were completed prior to VA authorization but deemed necessary for his health and safety.

The Veteran's appeal for glaucoma and ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,Tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity have all been granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension and a skin disability (to include chloracne) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease are presumed to have been incurred during his active service in Thailand due to exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet VA disability compensation criteria.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for ischemic heart disease was granted at a 10 percent evaluation from July 6, 2001 to January 3, 2002. From January 4, 2002 to January 23, 2002, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating due to coronary bypass surgery. The current claim for an increased rating was denied as of October 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for borderline diabetes and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his alleged Vietnam exposure and for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents at the Korean DMZ during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease (claimed as hypertension including the residuals of a cerebrovascular accident) has been granted due to new and material evidence received since the April 2011 rating decision. The Board found that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service is presumed, and thus he meets the second criterion for service connection. The Board also found a reasonable possibility of a link between the Veteran's hypertension including the residuals of a cerebrovascular accident and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service aboard the USS Coral Sea is unclear, and further investigation is needed to determine if he served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to Agent Orange exposure will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and will consider whether a medical opinion is needed for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the claims for increased ratings of knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, heart disability, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. Claims for increased ratings of knee and ankle disabilities, heart disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service aboard the U.S.S. Chara (AE-31) was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is now rated at 100 percent effective August 14, 2015. He also received special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate beginning that date.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, CAD, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), hypertension, malaise and fatigue, and GERD due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's active duty service included exposure to noise in-service without protection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of increased ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's VA treatment records are to be obtained, and a supplemental examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating effective May 6, 2009. The remaining claims for increased ratings are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them in his attorney's April 2019 correspondence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The Board found that there was no indication of intent to file a claim for CAD prior to March 27, 2006.

The Veteran's service connection claims for flat feet and a heart condition due to herbicide agent exposure are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation.