Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for glaucoma, heart disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including breathing problems, hypertension, skin cancer, and skin rashes. The heart condition (enlarged heart) was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran died from atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, but service connection was not in effect for this condition at the time of his death. The surviving spouse is not entitled to VA home loan guaranty benefits as she did not establish service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and partial gastrectomy with cholecystectomy do not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to their combined impact on his daily activities.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart condition, which he claims was caused by VA treatment at the Conroe CBOC in Texas. The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of his claim regarding a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability. The initial rating for coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety neurosis, and the renal cell carcinoma is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and the presumptive service connection provisions did not apply. The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 was also denied because new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's heart condition (syncope) is not service connected. The claims for right and left hip disabilities secondary to the back disability are granted, as well as the claim for depressive disorder due to service-connected migraines, knee disabilities, and a back disability. The rating for migraines remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, neither of which are service-connected. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD and his coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), right wrist disorder, heart disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder. The TDIU claim is also in remand status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lymphadenitis of the right side of neck, hypertension (HTN), left side trapezius strain, corneal degeneration arcus senilis, pinguecula, and heart disability. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, and foot fungus due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's dizziness is related to his service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability underlying his shortness of breath symptoms.,The Veteran’s hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange.,High cholesterol is considered a laboratory finding, not a disability for which service connection may be granted.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of bilateral radiculopathy.,The Veteran's left lower polyneuropathy most closely approximates severe partial paralysis, warranting a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's right lower polyneuropathy has been categorized as most closely approximating severe partial paralysis, also warranting a 30 percent rating.,Diabetes mellitus is not manifested to a degree requiring regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disease, hiatal hernia, and memory loss are all denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to environmental contaminants in Southwest Asia, nor does it establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, and to consider previously submitted evidence.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from June 5, 2017 and higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disorder.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Thailand. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.