Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering his exposure to nuclear radiation and other hazardous materials during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation considering his level of education, work experience, and vocational training.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since October 29, 2012. The right ear hearing loss disability was not referred for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and heart condition, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current disabilities and his active duty service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and left knee scar have been remanded by the Board.,No effective date has been established for any of these issues as they are currently pending.

The Veteran's heart disability is rated at 60 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating remains pending. The issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity neurological disorders are remanded due to potential herbicide agent exposure. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart and kidney disabilities due to exposure to herbicide agents, as they are central to his claim. The appeal is being returned to obtain medical records from the University of Colorado Hospital where he received primary care.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, heart disease, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence in the record. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain private treatment records from Dr. S.M., provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit additional evidence, schedule a VA examination, and adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, presumed related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam, substantially or materially contributed to the cause of his death. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease. The claims for increased evaluations of atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the bilateral lower extremities and onychomycosis of the feet are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for back disability, mental health condition, and sleep apnea were also denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation, or aggravated by these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Cambodia during his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any heart disorder that may be present, including whether it is related to service as a naval aviator.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits was denied. The claims were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, as the National Academy of Sciences recently upgraded its classification of hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' evidence of association with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The cases of right ear hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, PTSD, and TDIU are all remanded due to the need for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which has rendered him unemployable.