Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military records showed he served at Osan Air Base in South Korea and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, but the aircraft used there were not known to have been contaminated with herbicides until after his service.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was due, at least in part, to his service-connected heart disease. The Board found that the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance were met.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base and finds it likely that his coronary artery disease is related to this exposure. As such, service connection for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to toxic chemicals during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents while in service. The heart disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, left leg amputation, peripheral neuropathies in both upper and lower extremities, vocal cord paralysis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving near the perimeter of Takhli Royal Thai Airforce Base in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training, as well as his heart disability. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining necessary information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for CAD and cardiac arrhythmia as secondary to PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, a CNS disability as secondary to CAD and cardiac arrhythmia, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional medical opinions are needed on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and higher ratings due to outstanding private treatment records and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's representative provided information about a hospitalization, but no good cause was offered for missing scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability (claimed as CAD with myocardial infarction), hepatitis C, lumbar spine disability, left foot injury, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not found to have onset during service or be related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not found to have onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 14, 2012 is denied as there is no persuasive credible evidence that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, to include ventricular arrhythmia are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but a TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities making him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The appeal for service connection for teeth degeneration is dismissed. The application to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, but the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, heart disorder, and eye disorder remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for valvular heart disease, ascending aortic aneurysm, and supraventricular tachycardia. The effective date remains moot due to the grant of service connection on reopening.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The other claims of service connection are denied.