Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a heart condition was denied. His claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for atrial fibrillation was also denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted a 100% rating from April 4, 2018. The claims for service connection of left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and skin disorder are all reopened due to new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection for PTSD, heart disability, eye disability, and lung disability have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, thyroid condition, diabetes mellitus, and ventricular arrhythmias were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran claimed that his disabilities are related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, but he did not provide any competent medical evidence supporting this claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD) due to in-service incurrence or aggravation, as well as secondary service connection for HTN. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being reviewed again due to lack of evidence regarding in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased disability rating for coronary artery disease, which was previously rated as ischemic heart disease.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of claims related to herbicide agent exposure in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The petition to reopen service connection for a spine condition is reopened, but the merits of the claim are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, low back disability, left knee disability, and heart disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and a bladder condition have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, soft tissue sarcoma, IHD, and prostate cancer are granted due to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is granted for type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service in Thailand and has a current diagnosis of the disease.,The Veteran's claims for soft tissue sarcoma, IHD, and prostate cancer are also granted as they fall under the presumptive service connection criteria due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral pes planus was granted. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted as the pre-existing condition worsened during service.,Service connection for heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service, and no medical opinion linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new and material evidence received. The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disabilities are reopened, but his hypertension and PTSD with major depressive disorder remain denied.

The appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral foot disability restoration, and TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for various spinal disabilities, sensory deficits of the right shoulder and forearm, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left leg sensory deficit are withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding exposure to herbicides, chemicals, or radiation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, has also been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service near the perimeter of U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his time at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a heart condition, and hypertension due to unclear nature of conditions and need for further examination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death and also denied the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of qualifying active military, naval, or air service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been reopened and granted. The TDIU issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records review.