Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition and disability manifested by atypical chest plain, to include as a result of heart disease and non-cardiac costochondritis is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of such conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also denied. The Board determined that the evidence does not support finding that his sleep apnea began during active service or was related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided the appeal on the current record without any need for further consideration of the VCAA. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to lack of entitlement under the law, and the DIC based on service connection for the cause of death is also remanded.

The claims for OSA, GERD with Barrett's disease, and a heart condition (claimed as cardiomyopathy) are remanded due to the need for further development.,The claim for melanoma is denied as there is no evidence that it was caused by exposure to ionizing radiation or ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but remanded the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension/cardimyopathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents while serving aboard USS Forrestal and/or USS Kitty Hawk. The Veteran needs to be determined if he served within the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a heart disability and left ankle disability. The Veteran's heart disability is linked to PTSD, but the relationship between alcohol use and PTSD is unclear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder and bilateral big toe disability, finding no current disability or in-service occurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU for the period prior to May 8, 2019.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 7005, pertaining to rating arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease). The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient METs testing and left ventricular ejection fraction assessment.

The Board has restored service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee condition, colon condition (claimed as colon polyps), and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's CAD and its associated symptoms were more severe than the currently assigned disability ratings. The Board has ordered remand to obtain a VA medical opinion that properly assesses the severity of the Veteran’s CAD for the entire period prior to November 19, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for heart disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot disabilities (arthritis), and bilateral upper extremity disabilities (carpal tunnel syndrome) are inextricably intertwined with his exposure to herbicide agents during service. Therefore, these claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease, is found to be related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition and depression, as secondary to a heart condition due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to February 18, 2016. The Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his heart disability and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded, as well as the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance (SMC).

The appeals for service connection on all five issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and his AML.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service aboard the USS Intrepid, which could affect his claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.