Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus began in basic training and has been ongoing since then. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Coronary artery disease, Barrett's esophagus, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.,A hiatal hernia is remanded as the Veteran contends it preexisted service and was aggravated by an assault during basic training. Service connection for asthma or COPD, related to asbestos exposure, is also remanded.,The Veteran's knee disorder is remanded due to his in-service specialty of wireman which may have contributed to the condition. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is also remanded.,Service connection for asthma and COPD are remanded as the Veteran contends these conditions began during service or were aggravated by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on the USS Turner Joy, which may affect service connection for a heart disability. The AOJ needs to obtain and review the ship records of the USS Turner Joy from December 1972 to June 1973.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pain disorder, heart disease, and psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has been denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or an in-service event that could be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and dizziness, sleep apnea, heart conditions, cervicogenic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's military service in his records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ needs to determine where the USS Sample served in the legally recognized territorial limits of Vietnam while the Veteran was aboard.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disabilities, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease, are related to service. The case will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to lack of evidence regarding exposure within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam while onboard the USS Graffias.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, rectal cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, left foot neuropathy pain, and right foot neuropathy pain due to potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or herbicide agents during service. The RO is instructed to develop evidence regarding the Veteran’s ship movements and positions during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus, contributed to his encephalopathy which caused his death. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service and verification of his active duty periods. The issues will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, skin condition of the bilateral feet, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and diabetes due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected multifocal premature ventricular contractions with episodes of ventricular tachycardia status post myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder disorder, back disorder, and coronary artery disease. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and has therefore ordered further action to be taken on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, hearing loss, and coronary artery disease, as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular accident due to insufficient evidence of record. Additional development is required to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during his service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, pectus excavatum, epistaxis, and a congenital heart condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event or injury.,Essential tremors were remanded as the Veteran claimed aggravation during service.