Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of his VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims. The Board found insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or any other event, injury, or disease related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart condition, which he contends is related to his active military service. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for stroke, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for epilepsy. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for epilepsy, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for brain tumors, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for lung condition, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. VA treatment records reflect reports of asthma. Though the record does not contain a definitive diagnosis of asthma or other lung condition, based on his education and training the Veteran is competent to offer evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of an inguinal hernia, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. The service treatment records show a diagnosis of right inguinal hernia in May 1963 and an inguinal hernioplasty in June 1963. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diverticulitis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Veteran underwent a private colonoscopy in July 2016. The colonoscopy report reflects a diagnosis of diverticulitis and polyps. Further, STRs dated January 1966 show reports of abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, and intermittent indigestion over a period of three months. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for polyps, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of service connection for diverticulitis. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. He alleges this condition was caused or aggravated by his inguinal hernia and the 'wear and tear' associated with his military training. Alternatively, he alleges that his rheumatoid arthritis was a result of Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its relationship to service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest due to bladder cancer. The Board has determined that the Veteran had a pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension, which must be evaluated for aggravation during service and etiology outside of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to his February 14, 2017 claim.,Coronary artery disease was granted service connection effective February 14, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and to readjudicate all claims including this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cardiac conditions, other than mitral valve prolapse. The case needs additional development and an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The claim for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted effective December 18, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest, was related to his service. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing the relevance of shrapnel wounds during service, right coronary artery stenosis, and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, heart disability, and PTSD significantly impact his ability to function in an occupational setting, preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus are granted. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted on March 18, 2016. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.,The effective date for DEA benefits is set at May 6, 2014 due to the Veteran's permanent total service-connected disability.,The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was rated at 70 percent prior to March 1, 2016. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.