Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, respiratory disorder, arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), and PTSD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, a gynecological disability, and a heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral arthritis of the thumbs, coronary artery disease, and bilateral plantar fasciitis and heel spurs) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted. The diagnoses were found to be related to his military service due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is also granted.,Service connection for coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 17, 2013, for a 100% rating for coronary artery disease is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran’s symptoms have been factually ascertainable since he filed his service connection claim on July 17, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a medical opinion to determine if his rheumatic valvulitis preexisted service, if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that it did not permanently increase in severity during service, and if it is at least as likely as not attributable to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for heart disease, including coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted as the current disability originated in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, chloracne, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board has found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records related to his coronary artery disease.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date and entitlement to an increased rating for ischemic heart disease with hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's IHD is rated at 100% prior to May 21, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and gangrene as secondary to his service-connected IHD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and new VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for Grave's disease. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a heart disability, are remanded due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's daughter, the Appellant, is not considered a proper claimant for accrued benefits as she does not meet the eligibility criteria for being his child. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's death was due to a service-connected cause, as his myocardial infarction and heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected disabilities have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.