Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and heart condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied service connection for fatigue, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety, sleep apnea, a heart disability, and melanoma of the abdomen with residual scar due to asbestos and TCE exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his coronary artery disease was not related to his military service and did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, both presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's active service in Thailand.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board has determined that the Veteran served near the perimeter of the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, which places him at risk for herbicide exposure. Service connection is granted for prostate cancer on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and a stroke and its residuals, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's lay assertions were not credible given the lack of supporting documentation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder with sciatic nerve pain and DJD, as well as coronary artery disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appeals concerning tuberculosis, heart condition, shortness of breath, and joint decompression and/or body aches were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and heart condition (CAD) were reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claims for heart condition (CAD) and right knee disability remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral pseudophakia, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and a kidney condition are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder were denied, while he was granted a TDIU rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for joint problems of the neck, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides, squamous cell carcinoma, top of left hand, and lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus, post laminectomy syndrome (L5-S1) with lumbar instability.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The lung condition claim is remanded as new VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of in-service noise exposure.,PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's symptoms warrant a higher rating.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD with residuals of TBI is dismissed. The appeals to reopen claims for service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of bilateral knees, Ischemic Heart Disease, and Hand Tremors are granted.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea had its onset during active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition, to include hiatal hernia and multiple gallstones, as secondary to service-connected PTSD, and for entitlement to TDIU prior to December 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and a heart condition were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD from March 11, 2013 to April 13, 2015 was also denied.,A 70 percent rating for MDD beginning April 14, 2015 was granted. The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 11, 2013 and August 3, 2015 were denied.