Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and insufficient medical opinions. The issues include sinusitis, neck disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability (coronary atherosclerosis), left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his coronary artery disease, assess whether his peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected heart disease, and evaluate his left hand symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, service connection for sleep apnea, heart disease, and hypertension due to lack of development. The Veteran's right wrist condition is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear medical opinions regarding the severity of service-connected ischemic heart disease and its impact on the Veteran's coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating for hammertoe of the left and right feet, as well as heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and stroke have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. The case will be sent back to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for verification of herbicide agent exposure and additional lay evidence from the Veteran is sought.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the heart condition and diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's heart disorder is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and he was granted a 100% rating for this condition. The right knee disability claim was denied as there was no evidence of an injury during service or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and a headache disorder, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to link these conditions to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination. The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and heart conditions, due to a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the preponderance of the evidence did not support his assertions of herbicide exposure or causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his respiratory disorders, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a heart disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 4, 2015 for the combined rating of 100 percent due to service-connected disabilities and has also granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for an examination to determine the nature and cause of any heart disability, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by other conditions.

The Veteran's dementia is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which require him to be in need of regular assistance. The Veteran is also eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease with ascending aortic aneurysm, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.