Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to clarify the current diagnoses and assess the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, particularly regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy and CVA.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure in Guam and thus no presumption of exposure to such agents. The causes of death were not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and several types of peripheral neuropathy as well as kidney dysfunction and heart disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to address his service-connected tinnitus, sleep disorder (insomnia), bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed in Thailand during his service, and therefore grants service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type 2, neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, and lung disorder as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination did not address whether the Veteran's heart disabilities are due to service, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of heart disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for coronary artery disease and migraine headaches, both secondary to service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The cases of secondary service connection for stomach, heart, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and further consideration of the claims, particularly regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 30 percent for coronary artery disease was granted prior to October 21, 2014. From October 21, 2014 to October 16, 2018, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating. Since then, he has been rated at 100 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service herbicide exposure or direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities in the nature of the Veteran's heart disease and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions, particularly ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding service connection for the Veteran's heart problems. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining an advisory medical opinion from a VA C&P cardiologist or another qualified specialist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. However, his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, CAD and OSA are remanded due to lack of evidence addressing whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected disabilities or environmental exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded due to lack of evidence addressing whether this condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities or environmental exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to lack of evidence addressing whether this condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities or environmental exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence addressing whether this condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities or environmental exposure.