Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for reinstatement of his VA fee-basis ID card, reimbursement for unauthorized private medical services, and reimbursement for expenses incurred at a hospital are being remanded due to the need for additional information and records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. The decision is based on the appellant's reported symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his cardiac arrest was not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from end-stage pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for ischemic heart disease, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral tinnitus were denied.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eye disability, skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae), sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, heart disability, COPD, lung disability other than COPD, diabetes mellitus, type II, hernia, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of all issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, arteriosclerotic heart disease with premature atrial contractions and intermittent paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and hypertension do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 25, 2012.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran's cause of death was found to be due to coronary artery disease, which is presumed service-connected based on his service in Vietnam. The Board granted the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's initial rating for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, CAD, and hypertension as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and that the disability did not manifest within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, previously claimed as a cerebral vascular accident, is denied. The Board found no evidence of ischemic heart disease prior to the Veteran's death and thus could not grant presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. Additionally, there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran’s cerebrovascular disease to his presumed in-service exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to any injury or disease incurred during his service, including exposure to asbestos or radiation.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertensive heart disease, and cardiomegaly. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic/coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hyperthyroidism (Grave's Disease), finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his periods of active duty for training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. The presumption of exposure applies due to the Veteran’s service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure. The issues of bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus and a pulmonary condition secondary to ischemic heart disease are remanded.

Service connection for a heart condition (patent foramen ovale and syncope) is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, but an initial compensable disability rating for hip problems and hypertensive retinopathy remains denied.