Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The claim for sleep disorder is also reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (primarily PTSD) is denied as there is no credible evidence that the claimed stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to asbestos exposure and herbicide exposure have been denied. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to asbestos exposure, while other claims are stayed pending further action.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left shoulder disability, and a heart disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disability, finding that it was a congenital defect preexisting active service and possibly aggravated by superimposed disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular criteria and that he was capable of performing light physical or sedentary work.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death, which is a critical factor in determining cause of death.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection of heart disability, colon cancer, and seizure disorder. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence that any current disabilities began during service or are related to in-service events or diseases, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, is rated at 60 percent from September 4, 2014 through August 1, 2016. The effective date for service connection remains September 4, 2014. A compensable rating for scars (residual of coronary artery bypass graft) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The claims for head trauma, right hip disorder, and right thigh disorder are also being remanded as additional VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the RO not fully adjudicating his claim. The TDIU matter should have been addressed as it was reasonably raised by the record, and the Veteran has met the threshold eligibility requirements for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including angina. The Veteran claims his condition is related to radiation exposure during service and other environmental exposures.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected schizophrenia.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease / coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition), and Parkinson's disease on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,The Veteran served in Thailand with duties near the perimeter of Korat RTAFB where he was exposed to herbicide agents. His conditions are considered presumptively related to this exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and diabetes, both linked to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure.

The appeal for service connection of scarlet fever, chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease is dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service connection claims for skin cancer and ischemic heart disease (including coronary artery disease) have been denied. The effective date of the awards has not been established.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims due to Agent Orange exposure, a new examination for PTSD, and additional treatment records for hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Board will review and readjudicate the case once these records are obtained.