Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board partially vacated the March 2019 decision denying a compensable initial disability rating for valvular heart disease prior to January 16, 2017 and granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to potential herbicide exposure during service, specifically within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. Further research is needed to determine if the Veteran was present in this area.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) has been granted, and the issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and right eye diabetic retinopathy are all found to be related to his service in Thailand where he served near the perimeter of Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, and ischemic heart disease due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 30%, effective July 1, 2016. His claim for a higher rating remains pending. The heart disorder and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and heart disability as well as his PTSD rating and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the reductions of the rating for Ischemic Heart Disease from 60% to 30%, and then further reduced to 10%, were improper. The 60% rating is restored as of October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for muscle atrophy, a left leg disorder, and a left knee disorder have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been established for coronary artery disease as secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).,Service connection has been established for diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).,Service connection has been established for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sarcoidosis, a lung disorder (to include as separate and secondary to sarcoidosis), a heart disorder (to include as secondary to sarcoidosis), an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to sarcoidosis), and a kidney disorder (to include as secondary to sarcoidosis).,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service records indicate he served aboard the U.S.S. Annapolis in Vietnam, but there is uncertainty about whether this included within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. The Board has remanded to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including consideration of a claim regarding CUE in the effective date of service connection for heart disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure during his service in Thailand from June 1968 to September 1968.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam qualifies him for presumptive service connection. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding a TDIU claim.

The Board has restored the service connection for cause of death and DEA benefits, finding that ischemic heart disease substantially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his hypertension and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.