Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The appellant withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for coronary bypass surgery, claimed as ischemic heart disease, from August 1, 2016 to March 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records and potential VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease was the primary cause of his death, warranting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of ischemic heart disease, heart disability, and stroke and its residuals as there was no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings, service connection, and earlier effective dates for PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 24, 2012. The earlier effective date claim was denied as the earliest date on which the Veteran met the schedular criteria for entitlement to a TDIU was June 7, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, who was substituted as the claimant.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic pneumonia and remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability. The Veteran's claim for chronic pneumonia is not supported by evidence of current disability, while his heart disability claim requires additional medical opinion to determine its relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an adequate nexus opinion addressing his contentions and legal requirements of 38 U.S.C. § 1151, including a review of records from June 2005 to February 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's heart disorder, right toe amputation, and PVD of the right leg are all related to presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, IHD, DM, PN of the bilateral upper extremities, and PN of the bilateral lower extremities. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence for hypertension. Service connection was also denied on a direct basis for IHD and DM as there is no evidence showing they are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since December 14, 2004. His right thigh and left abdomen wounds are rated higher than initially assigned. CAD is now rated at 100 percent effective October 2, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction as a result of prostate cancer is denied, and his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, and major depressive disorder due to a lack of relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a pulmonary condition, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is granted. The claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease due to in-service herbicide exposure. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records. The medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions are also needed.