Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board denied retroactive benefits for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis at the time of his 1994 denial, and he did not file a claim for service connection after his 1998 diagnosis.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being held in abeyance until his other pending appeal regarding the coronary artery disease claim is adjudicated. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on a review of the entire evidentiary record.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents and granted it, finding that the Veteran served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era, qualifying him for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease were denied as there was no communication between the previous rating decisions and the new claim, nor did the Veteran report worsening of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be associated with exposure to herbicide agents, has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his military records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for breathing condition, heart condition, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran was found to be capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by substantially gainful employment prior to July 5, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection is remanded for ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation as a result of ischemic heart disease and secondary to toxic herbicide exposure and PTSD, finding that there was no nexus between these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is denied. The effective date for the grant of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied and set at July 17, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and whether he served in DaNang Harbor, which could affect his claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type 2 and ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) due to exposure to Agent Orange are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, also due to exposure to Agent Orange, is remanded.

The Veteran's son is not eligible for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 because the appellant's mother is not a Vietnam veteran, and he does not have spina bifida.