Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for left and right shoulder conditions, right knee condition, left and right ankle conditions, headache condition (secondary to a service-connected disability), sleep condition (secondary to a service-connected disability), and heart condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been rated at 30 percent since January 21, 2011. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a higher rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD and TDIU prior to November 1, 2014.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for CLL and coronary artery disease are also granted as they are presumed related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and CAD, both presumed to be related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

Service connection is denied for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as they are not related to service or exposure to toxic herbicide agents.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease and hypertension as they are not related to service or exposure to toxic herbicide agents.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post stent placement is denied, and his TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative prior to his death.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and diverticulitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence linking his hypertensive heart disease to his military service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) with an effective date of February 16, 2018. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date and the RO has not issued a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Board is remanding this matter to order issuance of a SOC.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical treatment and services at Androscoggin Valley Hospital and Catholic Medical Center from December 13, 2017 to December 16, 2017 is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding insurance coverage and reimbursement amount.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to herbicide exposure due to potential in-service exposure near the perimeter of the base. The case requires additional development, including obtaining records and providing a VA medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure and its relation to the Veteran's death. The Appellant is asked to provide any additional medical records, including those from Ubon RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the highest level of aid and attendance was granted. The Veteran meets the criteria for entitlement to this benefit due to his need for personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a licensed professional, as well as his service-connected disabilities necessitating such care.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is granted service connection for this condition.,Issues regarding asthma and chronic bronchitis have been remanded due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s heart condition is less likely caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and more likely attributable to his longstanding high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and history of smoking.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding no evidence linking his causes of death to his active duty service.,The Board also denied DIC benefits and accrued benefits claims due to lack of pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease as they are related to a deceased Veteran.