Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including as due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War or secondary to a service-connected disability. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current heart condition was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure at Nam Phong Royal Thai Air Force Base. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including high cholesterol, gout, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disability, a heart disability, urinary incontinence, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), headaches, a prostate disability, a thyroid disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to his withdrawal of these issues. The skin disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current chronic skin condition, while the tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining more detailed medical records and clarifying service dates.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is service connected. The heart condition claim for secondary to PTSD remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 12, 2012.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for back and heart disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on whether any current heart disability, including heart block, atrial fibrillation, and implanted pacemaker, is related to in-service chest pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and examinations. The Veteran's case is not ready for final decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development regarding service connection for a heart disability and COPD. The Veteran's heart disability may be related to in-service exposure to herbicides, but this needs further investigation as his service records show he was aboard the USS Ranger during RVN service. For COPD, more information is needed about specific exposures (asbestos, diesel fumes, air pollution) and whether these occurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart condition and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current disability.,The effective dates for awards of service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy affecting the femoral and internal saphenous nerves are remanded as there is no evidence of an earlier claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, both secondary to toxic herbicide exposure. The Veteran served aboard USS CHICAGO during a period when his service records indicate he was in the Gulf of Tonkin, but it is unclear if this area falls within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea where the presumption of herbicide agent exposure applies.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for coronary artery disease and other conditions listed as significant contributing to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to outstanding treatment records and SSA records not being obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the claim has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for a heart condition to include as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was reopened, granted, and an effective date of July 2014 is assigned.,Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is granted as it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 5, 2015 for his service-connected PTSD is denied.