Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities.,Service connection was granted for bilateral knee disabilities with separate ratings for the right and left meniscal disabilities. The Veteran received a compensable rating for his right knee scar and a 20 percent rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluation of various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Parkinson’s disease was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,Service connection for coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder is remanded as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's heart condition is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining work.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The SMC based on aid and attendance prior to November 29, 2017 is also being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) needs to be re-evaluated due to increased symptoms since the last VA examination in March 2015. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tension headaches, cervical spine IVDS with DDD, LUE radiculopathy, RUE radiculopathy, and sleep disorder has been granted. The effective date of service connection is set at June 19, 2013. A rating of 50 percent for tension headaches is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, residuals of appendix removal, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence regarding current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding his service connection requests. The issues include service connection for various disabilities including hepatitis C, heart, kidney, lung, back, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and a heart disability due to new evidence received in August 2017. The Veteran served in Thailand but asserts he was also in Vietnam as part of his duties.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including congestive heart failure and valvular heart disease, based on herbicide exposure is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to renal failure and hyperkalemia, attributing it to post-operative coronary bypass and aneurysm repair. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence did not relate the death to any disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except diabetes mellitus type II is remanded. The Board will seek to obtain private treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis. The heart disability appeal was denied as there is no evidence to support its onset during or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support his claims. However, further development is needed due to unresolved issues related to exposure in Vietnam and other medical conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cardiac disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the retroactive benefit issue.