Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's AHD rating was restored from August 1, 2015 to June 26, 2016.,The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from the date of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and a urinary disability are granted. The Board found the evidence to be at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease, granting the benefit of doubt to the Veteran. For the urinary disability claim, the Board found that the Veteran had a history of bladder problems while in service which continued after service.

The Veteran's asbestosis and coronary artery disease are granted service connection, with the former being linked to exposure in Vietnam and the latter presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from October 22, 2010. The Board found that his conditions, including low back disability and polyneuropathy, made it necessary for him to have regular assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, CAD, feet swelling, hand swelling, and neuropathy were denied. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and carbon tetrachloride exposure in service.,The Veteran’s eye disorder claim is remanded due to lack of VA examination records. The duty to assist was triggered by the evidence suggesting a correlation with carbon tetrachloride exposure.,The Veteran's dementia (memory lapses) claim is also remanded for an examination, as it may be related to carbon tetrachloride exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran's medical records from various hospitals need to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease, but granted compensable ratings for constipation due to Parkinson's disease, the scar on the anterior chest, impairment of the vagus pneumogastric nerve, and impairment of the hypoglossal nerve.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD) status post myocardial infarction is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of a recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stroke and frontal dural based mass compatible with old ischemic event are both denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including skin disorders, hearing loss, bladder disorders, heart conditions, kidney diseases, and extremity impairments have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service exposure to toxic substances.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, mitral valve disease, and coronary artery disease, finding that the disorders were not incurred in or related to service. The decision also noted that ionizing radiation exposure was acknowledged but did not support a claim as there is no evidence of kidney cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell trait was denied due to lack of a current disability. The claims for color blindness, heart condition, and COPD were not established as they are congenital or developmental defects.,Service connection has been granted for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, hypertension, gout of both feet, intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbago, binocular visual field defect, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The effective date of any award will be determined based on the evidence received.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, kidney cancer, and left hand finger disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The rating for kidney cancer has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between PTSD and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower leg disabilities were a contributory cause of his death from acute congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, finding that the Veteran's anxiety disorder did not cause or aggravate his heart disease.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, as well as the claim for cause of death. Further development is needed due to the need for a VA examination.