Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 24, 2006 for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) associated to herbicide exposure. The decision is based on the Veteran's Nehmer class member status and his claim being received between May 3, 1989, and August 31, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange, during active duty.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for heart disease and hypertension due to herbicide exposure were reopened, but the claim for TDIU prior to March 1, 2013 was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee condition, heart condition secondary to anxiety disorder, and residuals of a head injury (claimed as TBI).,There is no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence. The issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 10, 2012, which is when the original claim for TDIU was received.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is denied. Service connection has also been remanded for hypertension and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased evaluations on multiple conditions has been dismissed.,Service connection is denied for pitting edema in the bilateral lower extremities and inflammation of the left foot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected CAD or COPD, and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all denied.,Service connection for skeletal arthritis is denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (left and right) and upper extremities (left and right) is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.,Service connection for bilateral kidney disability is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition (diabetic retinopathy) is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) claim for service connection have been denied.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is not warranted, as the July 1990 decision became final due to lack of response within one year.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability, including aortic valve stenosis and aortic regurgitation. The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to January 4, 2011, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, hypertension, skin condition, headaches, memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now pending with VA for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The Board will consider whether his hearing loss, hypertension, CAD, and diabetes mellitus may be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to June 12, 2013 for coronary artery disease and for an earlier effective date for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether parvovirus caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for left upper extremity paralysis, right upper extremity pain, left lower extremity pain, and right lower extremity pain are remanded.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), has not been rated appropriately and an updated VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.