Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a skin disorder, to include chloracne, is granted. Service connection for a skin disorder, to include chloracne, is denied. The rating for coronary artery disease in excess of 10 percent prior to September 20, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded. The service connection for a low back disorder is also remanded. The issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis in service or post-service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing the condition was incurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation and heart condition, but has remanded cases related to GERD, hernia, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to incomplete information regarding his military service dates.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The TDIU claim is also being deferred until the CAD issue is resolved.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his time stationed near the perimeter of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to the lack of evidence showing herbicide exposure in service, and thus cannot establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease are being remanded for further evaluation as his claims have worsened since the last VA examinations in April 2016. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the increased rating claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's heart condition, including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and non-ischemic conditions, was aggravated during his active service in Iraq. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also a result of his cardiac disability, which he developed during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes, heart disorder, lower back condition, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and service connection. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, left eye choroidal tear, and tinnitus, did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating prior to May 16, 2017. However, there is evidence suggesting he may have been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these disabilities. The Board referred this issue to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an opinion under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted effective January 3, 1990. The condition is presumed to have arisen due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective August 31, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including valvular heart disease and intraventricular conduction defect, is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it was caused by herbicide agent exposure or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.