Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent, with the appeal being remanded for further review of ischemic heart disease (IHD), prostate cancer, and Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II).,Ischemic heart disease (IHD), prostate cancer, and Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II) are remanded due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's heart disorder and depression are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions, with the heart disorder being presumed due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for heart disability due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded as the service records do not clearly indicate his specific unit location in Korea, which is required for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service on the USS Robison was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam, which would entitle him to the presumption of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the hands (claimed as secondary to dermatitis) and a heart disorder. The Veteran's claims are not related to exposure to herbicides or other specific environmental exposures.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder). The AOJ is directed to obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and conduct any additional development deemed necessary.,The Veteran asserts that he has a heart disorder related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature of the Veteran’s current heart disorders, including whether ischemic heart disease exists, and their relationship to service and/or his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran claims a prostate disorder related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and conduct any additional development deemed necessary.,The Veteran asserts that he has urinary and bladder disorders secondary to diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature of these conditions, including their relationship to service and/or his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran claims a bladder disorder related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's Vet Center records and conduct any additional development deemed necessary.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated by the RO.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence is in equipoise regarding their relationship to service.,Service connection is granted for unspecified depressive disorder, as the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to service.,Service connection is denied for PTSD due to lack of a diagnosis under DSM criteria. Service connection is also denied for skin disorders and CAD, as there is no evidence of their onset in service or within one year post-service discharge.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple myeloma, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, skin disability, heart disability, and prostate disability are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in the Korean DMZ.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran served within the territorial waters of Vietnam or at a distance that would qualify him for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's organic heart disease, including coronary artery disease and bypass surgery, is being remanded for further development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange during service. His diabetes mellitus claim is also referred for action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active duty and thus no presumption of exposure applies. The Board also found that CAD did not manifest within one year of separation from service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the Appellant is denied nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has continued working full-time despite his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, automobile or adaptive equipment grants, or special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to use both upper extremities effectively.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service aboard ships in Vietnam included time within 12 nautical miles of the shore, which could allow for herbicide agent exposure and thus a secondary service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin condition and heart condition due to herbicide exposure, as they are unable to determine if he served in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam. Additional development is needed to confirm this.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including determining whether the Veteran's service-connected heart condition is related to exposure to herbicide agents or PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.