Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, residuals of lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity are remanded. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, a neurological disability (other than headaches), and a heart disability are denied. Service connection is granted for headaches only.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as there was no in-service event or injury related to these conditions. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his disabilities were not considered competent evidence.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease effective August 31, 2010 based on the liberalizing law that added ischemic heart disease to the list of diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The effective date for depression was set at May 17, 1973 as this is when the Veteran first sought VA medical benefits and applied for psychiatric treatment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's discharge from the hospital was due to negligence or carelessness.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of his prostate condition. The heart condition, including hypertension, is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disabilities, including SVT, sinus bradycardia, hypertensive heart disease, old myocardial infraction (old MI), coronary artery disease (CAD), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The Board found that these conditions are not causally related to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected valvular heart disease.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records, as well as for additional clarification on the causation and aggravation aspects of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability and respiratory issues, due to potential herbicide exposure while aboard the U.S.S. Wichita during his Vietnam War service.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) from November 5, 2002 to June 12, 2011 is granted. The claim for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 13, 2011 is denied. The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the fact of one service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable as 60 percent or more prior to June 13, 2011 is also denied. The claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 15, 2005 is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus that had their onset during active service.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease, is remanded. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including whether it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.,The initial compensable disability rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right little finger is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the right index finger is remanded. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including whether it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the previous denial of service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus was not final due to new evidence. The Veteran's deck logs have been reviewed, but it is unclear if he served in areas near Vietnam during his time on board the U.S.S. Zelima. Therefore, additional records are needed to make a determination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for coronary artery disease, and therefore the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently service-connected but the Board finds conflicting evidence and requires an updated VA medical opinion to determine if it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, CAD, or tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and cause of death due to diabetes. The Veteran's heart disability was not found to be related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for further evaluation. The issues include PTSD, CAD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disorder, claimed as heart arrhythmia, were not related to his military service. The Board denied both claims.