Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, as these conditions are associated with exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are granted as service-connected. The heart disability and shortness of breath claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA's definition. Service connection was granted for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type 2 as due to exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as it was incurred in service.,Service connection for asthma is denied because the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service discharge and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for heart disability, including atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease, is denied due to lack of in-service onset and failure to establish a nexus to service.,Service connection for kidney disability, including hydronephrosis, kidney cysts, kidney calculi, and chronic kidney disease, is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service onset or a nexus to service.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied because the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service discharge and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied due to lack of an in-service onset and failure to establish a nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, hip disabilities, foot disabilities, diabetic retinopathy, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, heart disorder, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and angina have been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim for hemorrhoids was granted, but only partially. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was also granted, but only partially.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disability, as there is an October 1990 EKG showing premature supraventricular complexes.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The heart disability issue is remanded as the nature and etiology of any diagnosed heart disability need further clarification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service, is granted due to presumed exposure and a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to February 23, 2018 is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. From February 23, 2018, the rating is denied as well due to lack of evidence showing left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination to assess his ability to work.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's heart, uterine cancer with hysterectomy, follicular non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, skin cancer, and bilateral knee disabilities are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his conditions are considered direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and an incomplete opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for ischemic heart disease is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of scarlet fever and loss of teeth, left lower side of mouth have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and Tachy-Brady syndrome (heart disability), to include as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical examination and lack of sufficient rationale in the previous opinion. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease claim is being sent back for a new examination and review of additional evidence.