Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient development of evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa, Japan. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether service connection should be granted based on PTSD, stress experienced as a criminal investigator, or any other etiology.

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,Allergies, claimed as hay fever, service connection was remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disabilities were all remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.,Service connection for a heart disability (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and allergies were also remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied and the Veteran's appeal must be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease was denied, and the Board has remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his combined functional effects of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease with congestive heart failure was granted effective September 9, 1987. The Board found that the earlier application in June 1975 was a pension claim and not a compensation claim.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and review of financial eligibility for special monthly pension (SMP) based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU prior to January 16, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not show that his ischemic heart disease warranted a 100% disability rating at any time before that date.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease (IHD) prior to April 22, 2015 was denied as his LVEF remained normal and he did not exhibit cardiac hypertrophy or dilation. The Veteran's IHD is rated at 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with symptoms of dysphagia, pyrosis, and vomiting being mild in nature and without substernal or arm/shoulder pain. The esophageal stricture is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease and chronic congestive heart failure met the criteria for a 100% rating as of July 7, 2015. The effective date is set to that date.

The Board has remanded three issues: the rating for ischemic heart disease, the rating for PTSD, and the TDIU claim due to outstanding medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's myeloproliferative syndrome with conversion to AML, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, is granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes. The cause of death (AML) is also granted. The Veteran's IHD is rated at 40 percent but no higher. His shortened right metacarpal and PTSD are not granted initial ratings in excess of the current 60 percent rating. An earlier effective date than May 21, 2011 for service connection of IHD is denied. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease due to lack of information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's high blood pressure, including whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records needed for a proper evaluation of the cause of death. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate carcinoma, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder (including ischemic heart disease), and carotid artery disease with blurred vision and numbness to side of face, arm, and leg with dizziness and loss of coordination due to herbicide exposure during service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 30, 2012 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease/old myocardial infarction was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his coronary artery disease/old myocardial infarction after expiration of the temporary (3-months) 100 percent rating is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence addressing whether the Veteran's heart condition existed prior to service and was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and the claim for this condition is denied.,Ischemic heart disease is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and heart condition, both claimed as a result of exposure to herbicide agents. The claims will be returned to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for further verification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for RMSF, heart disease, removal of gall bladder, residuals of removal of kidney and residuals of stroke as there is no current diagnosis of any residuals from RMSF.