Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, finding that all reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including fainting disorder, right arm disorder, heart condition with an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, bilateral leg disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The appellant did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypertension from August 31, 2001 to May 19, 2018 is denied as the evidence does not show diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more during this period.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted with an effective date of January 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for 'effective date of award' challenges and noninitial increased rating claims for PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to ischemic heart disease, which the Board found was caused by exposure to herbicides while stationed at a Thai air base. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and related conditions have been rated at 40 percent since June 1, 2009. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been granted from June 1, 2009 to October 20, 2010.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for HIV, CAD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service dental procedure and his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, heart disability, and kidney disability. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted service connection based on exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange. The claim for bilateral eye disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to in-service asbestos exposure. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for asbestos-related lung disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's inflammatory bowel disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back injury, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, TBI, and PTSD. The claims were not granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), heart disorder, osteopenia, cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran had regular and repeated contact with C-123 aircraft known to have been used to spray an herbicide agent during the Vietnam era.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease have rendered him unemployable, as his disabilities prevent him from functioning in a normal competitive work environment.