Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, as well as additional heart disability resulting from VA treatment in November 2010.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, back disability, hypertension, and heart disability.,There was no evidence of a new or material condition that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and an updated application for part-time work.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied because there is no evidence of current hearing loss in this ear.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus was granted. The Board found new and material evidence related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which is presumed for Gulf War veterans.

The Veteran's unauthorized private dental treatment for broken and cracked teeth was denied reimbursement due to lack of pre-authorization, emergency nature of the treatment, and the availability of VA facilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for heart disability, left shoulder disability, left upper radiculopathy (CTS), neck disability, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's representative also requested additional examination regarding his GERD.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Guam and remanded for further development regarding his claims of neuropathy, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform activities such as golfing and water aerobics without symptoms.

The Veteran's heart disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water and soil at Camp Pendleton. The appeal will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for rheumatic heart disease due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for a TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and attendance, specifically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for central retinal artery occlusion and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded one issue for further examination. The Veteran's claims for left ankle disorder, skin condition (rash on back), and heart condition (chest pains including as secondary to hypertension) are now pending.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, neck disability, and low back disability due to inadequate VA examination in May 2018. The Veteran's current disabilities are alleged to be related to her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2009 for the grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue is moot as the Veteran was already receiving a total disability rating for CAD from January 6, 2009 to January 31, 2009.