Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes are being remanded due to their potential secondary relationship to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, joint pain, Hepatitis C and an enlarged heart have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of heart disability due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. The evidence did not show a disability incurred in or related to the Veteran's active service.

All issues related to service connection are remanded. The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor disorder is rated 70% throughout the appeal period, but COPD, hernia, and aortic aneurysm claims remain unresolved.,The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the remaining service connection issues.

The claim to reopen the previously denied service connection for the cause of death is granted. The case is remanded due to incomplete in-service treatment records and a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD)/heart disease, memory loss, Bell’s Palsy, psoriasis, and chronic pain disorder due to outstanding treatment records not being in evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment medical records from earlier than October 31, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral knee and hip disorders, and skin disorder of the toes are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining private treatment records and VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the relationship between obesity, service-connected conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The examiner needs to reconcile these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and increased evaluation for anxiety disorder due to incomplete development of records, need for additional medical opinions on direct causation and aggravation, and need for updated examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to toxins, including herbicide agents and PCBs. The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are all being reviewed in light of this potential exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease, which was decided on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of multiple claimed conditions was denied in a December 2015 rating decision. The Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year after receiving notice of this decision, and thus his appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current heart condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed ischemic heart disease and mitral valve regurgitation. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his death. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion from an examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and hiatal hernia/GERD, as well as the TDIU claim from April 13, 2013 to July 3, 2013 and from October 1, 2013 to July 21, 2016 are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his service-connected mood disorder with depressive features. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU remains inapplicable due to the current appeal status of the underlying disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to lung cancer as secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia, finding that the nicotine dependence caused by his schizophrenia contributed to his lung cancer and ultimately led to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.