Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cardiovascular disabilities, specifically ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran's systemic mastocytosis claim, including its relationship to coronary artery disease and Agent Orange exposure. The case requires a hematologist opinion on whether systemic mastocytosis is secondary to coronary artery disease and due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, secondary to herbicide exposure has been granted.,Service connection is established on a presumptive basis due to the Veteran's reported exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied.,Service connection for a left hip condition is denied.,Service connection for a right hip condition is denied.,Service connection for a lower back condition is denied.,Service connection for skin issues is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sleep issues) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acute anterior myocardial infraction, diagnosed as chronic ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, cardiac disorder, and headaches with dizziness due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.,The Board has also remanded the claim for TDIU as it is inextricably intertwined with the other service connection claims.,,

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide VA with information about any private providers who have treated him since service.

The Board has denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the criteria for total disability for ten years prior to death or continuously since active duty and at least five years before death. The appeal is also remanded for further review of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has found that the Veteran's high cholesterol is not a recognized disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore denied service connection. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2014. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective January 1, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, right knee replacement, left knee replacement, and melanoma and related residuals as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for a heart disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, sleep disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The appellant's claims were not supported by competent, credible evidence of record.,Service connection was not established as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, chest pain, and angina are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange was denied. The Veteran's claim for residual skin changes secondary to right facial cellulitis was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to May 15, 2015 for service connection of coronary artery disease due to lack of a pending claim for a covered herbicide disease and no applicable Nehmer exceptions.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicides at U-Tapao RTAB.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for post-operative residuals of CABG has been dismissed as he withdrew his request prior to the Board making a decision.