Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and coronary artery disease, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a vision disorder, service connection for a heart disorder (claimed as the result of herbicide exposure), and service connection for recurrent tick bite residuals. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and clarify his Vietnam-era service status. He also needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has current conditions related to his verified service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed heart disorder, including hypertension, is related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease are found to impair his ability to work, and a remand is ordered for further examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with chronic congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy have resulted in a TDIU from September 6, 2008 onwards. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate since December 29, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, both related to the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, depression, and an initial compensable rating for hepatitis B due to a lack of examination. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the claim for DIC and service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant is also asked to provide information about the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure in Panama.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, digestive disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and skin cancer, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or radiation exposure that could support a claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is reopened, but the Board finds that further development and adjudication are necessary to determine if his condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of basal cell carcinoma service connection remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease was reopened and granted, but the issue of service connection for high cholesterol and migraine disability remains denied.,Service connection for valvular heart disease is granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for high cholesterol and migraine disability are both denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricably intertwined issues and requests for a new Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and high blood pressure due to a lack of service treatment records from the Veteran's time in the Army Reserves. The AOJ is instructed to verify any additional periods of service, including ACDUTRA and/or INACDUTRA, and obtain all relevant service records.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and sinus bradycardia, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Parkinson’s disease, lung disability (asbestosis and COPD), and coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for sleep disorder, heart condition, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Board has found insufficient evidence of record to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and neuropathy. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, heart disability, renal failure, hypoxic respiratory disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals in service.