Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including coronary artery disease/congestive heart failure, nasopharyngeal cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, eye disability, balance/vestibular disorder, sinusitis, and depressive disorder. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation on a secondary basis due to varicose veins. An addendum VA opinion is needed to address causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to unclear information about his exposure to herbicides during naval service. Additional development is needed, including verification of his service within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, vertigo, and a heart disability. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there are no VA examinations addressing the issue.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, left hip, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered the result of an August 1972 motor vehicle accident.,Service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus has also been denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,An earlier effective date claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, CAD, and prostate cancer due to a lack of in-service herbicide exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, heart disability (stent placement), lumbar degenerative disc disease, and traumatic brain injury residuals are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting potential exposure to herbicides during service. The Board will determine if this exposure qualifies him for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his service aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga and to verify herbicide agent exposure based on qualifying service in the country of Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to inadequate substantive appeals.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.,DM2 was initially granted service connection with a 10% rating effective September 26, 2012. The Veteran's DM2 has required medication to control it and requires an oral hypoglycemic agent in addition to a restricted diet since February 7, 2013.

The Board has granted TDIU effective January 12, 2009. The claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and residuals of lung cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran must provide additional information about his alleged exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in describing the examiner and not providing discussion on whether a METs test was medically contraindicated.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and ocular hypertension as secondary to ischemic heart disease due to potential in-service exposure, but no specific evidence or basis is provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded for further investigation into the etiology of his coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The Board will seek additional information regarding potential exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's service connection for a respiratory disability is denied. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective February 22, 2017. The Veteran's psychiatric disability (PTSD and depressive disorder) is granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective February 23, 2017.