Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, depressive disorder, and insomnia, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from the date of the August 2015 RO decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to lack of information on whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving aboard the USS Cone.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for basal cell/squamous cell carcinoma has not been granted due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral nerve condition of the lower extremities (peripheral neuropathy) secondary to type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for award of TDIU and preclude substantially gainful employment, effective July 24, 2008. The Board finds that the entitlement to a TDIU is warranted for the period beginning July 24, 2008.

The Veteran's GERD, gastrointestinal disorders including diverticulosis, heart disorder including atherosclerotic heart disease and/or murmur, hypertension, low back disorder, and pes planus were not found to be related to her service in the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and secondary service connection for CAD, erectile dysfunction, and Raynaud’s disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating for CAD from September 11, 2013 to November 7, 2019, or on and after November 7, 2019. Service connection was also denied for Raynaud’s disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, somatic symptom disorder, adjustment disorder) due to the need for additional development. This includes obtaining missing treatment records from Langley AFB, verifying stressor events, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence related to his diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is denied, while chronic renal disease remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for esophageal cancer, lung, liver, lymph node and coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active service. The appellant is seeking service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's pulmonary disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating, as his FEV-1 and other lung function tests do not indicate severe impairment.,The Veteran’s neck scar is rated at 10 percent due to lack of visible tissue loss or disfigurement. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart and lung disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran was not exposed to asbestos in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability prior to December 21, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), high blood pressure, heart disability, and poor blood circulation. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.,There is no medical opinion linking any of the conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability and there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.,Service connection was also denied for left arm and shoulder disorders, as well as right arm and shoulder disorders. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for CAD, DM II, HTN, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for congestive heart failure with left ventricular ejection fracture, heart disease with cardiomyopathy, and hypertension as there is no evidence of a nexus to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing heart disorder, first-degree AV block, was aggravated by military service and resulted in current coronary artery disease. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right ankle disability, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for these claims.