Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease (CAD); peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; thoracolumbar spine condition (back condition); and right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee condition) due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military service in Vietnam is potentially relevant for these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease and hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of medical evidence on record regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's heart disability, genitourinary disability (BPH), and hypertension are remanded for further development due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, chronic bronchitis, heart disability, stomach condition (to include ulcers), and epidermal inclusion cyst. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depressive disorders, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims are being remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's current heart condition is ischemic heart disease, which would allow for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if they have this specific type of heart condition.

The Veteran's combined rating for PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus was denied as the AOJ did not err in assigning a 60% rating prior to March 29, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess his current disability levels. The Veteran is also requested to provide a response regarding service connection for OSA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition and skin cancer due to potential exposure during service. The Veteran's service aboard USS Kearsarge is being verified, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if his skin cancers are related to in-service environmental exposures.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issues are now moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's request for service connection for hepatitis, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is not currently before the Board. The case will be returned to the Board after the AOJ issues an SSOC considering all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to February 21, 2003, for service-connected valvular heart disease; a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability; and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ is instructed to consider both the former (pre- January 12, 1998) and current (post- January 12, 1998) criteria for evaluating disabilities of the spine when readjudicating the initial rating assigned to the Veteran's valvular heart disease. The AOJ is also instructed to schedule a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and to issue a SOC addressing the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 16, 2016. The CAD claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence received since the September 2013 rating decision. The low back condition is denied as not related to service. The CAD, diverticulosis, and GERD claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of either condition, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart condition, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for common variable immune deficiency sinusitis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action regarding his claim of service connection for eczema due to herbicide agent exposure. The remaining issues are related to the increased ratings and new disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder but has remanded the heart disorder claim due to insufficient development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his temporary duty assignment in Vietnam.