Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, diagnosed as atrial fibrillation and claimed as ischemic heart disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, but has remanded all issues due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's overall disability rating is 40 percent properly calculated using the Combined Ratings Table, prior to January 22, 2018.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for a heart disability and hypertension is granted. The remanded issues of service connection for a heart disability and hypertension are also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, heart disorder, and PTSD are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran died of ischemic heart disease, which is a covered herbicide-related disease. The appellant filed for DIC benefits in March 2012 and the effective date was set at March 19, 2011 due to her timely submission of the claim. There is no earlier effective date as per VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for eardrum damage, bilateral knee condition, stomach ulcers, and hemorrhoids have all been denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to COPD and heart failure. The appellant contends the cause of death qualifies for presumptive service connection based on the Veteran’s service in Vietnam aboard naval vessels, or due to asbestos exposure during his 18-year naval career. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's presence within the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, heart disability, hypertension, peripheral artery disease (left lower extremity), peripheral artery disease (right lower extremity), and stroke residuals were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an initial compensable rating for surgical scars of the posterior torso and effective dates prior to specific dates for various service connection awards.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service duties near the DMZ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for further development due to alleged herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, all claimed as secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for lateral subluxation and femoral nerve impairment of the left knee, with effective dates set at May 3, 2003. Service connection was established based on a combination of medical evidence and continuity of symptoms since 1976.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance from December 31, 2007. The TDIU was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 31, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that it did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and is not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a heart disability, clogged ears, and colon polyps. The evidence did not meet the elements required to establish service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The ratings for left and right ankle disabilities are denied, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for CAD and diabetes mellitus, type II, is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was denied for a skin disorder.,The Veteran's service connection claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the November 2009 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's claims were not granted as secondary to his heart disorder.