Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is January 28, 2016.,Service connection for headaches has been remanded as there is no indication that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 28, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to potential exposure to asbestos during service. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a right eye cataract is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all remanded. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding these conditions.,Service connection for headaches remains remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for headaches remains remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including heart disability, chronic kidney disease, respiratory disorder, back disability, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected PTSD with MDD, right ear hearing loss, and the readjudication of his claims have been dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has also been referred to the Hearing Branch.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including myocardial infarction and thrombosis, is likely a result of VA care in early May 2007. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding causation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, BPH, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorders, neuropathies of any extremities, glaucoma and cataracts, and heart disorder due to inadequate examination opinions that did not consider the Veteran's work as a combat engineer in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral open angle glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, kidney disability, heart disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not due to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the USS Chevalier was within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam during his service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to community acquired pneumonia and COPD, which the VA determined were not related to his service. The cause of death is believed to be due to his long-term tobacco smoking.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal regarding increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as additional ratings for knee extension disabilities, are all granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 30, 2014 and TDIU prior to May 2, 2019. The claim for a 60% evaluation for coronary artery disease beginning December 2, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, while the claims for diabetes, heart disease, right lower extremity neurological disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, residuals of head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to link them to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a heart disorder and dental disability for treatment purposes due to incomplete development. The Veteran's heart disorder is related to service, but the exact nature of the connection needs clarification.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and heart disease, finding that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions separate from his service-connected injuries. The heart disease was found to be preexisting and not aggravated by service.

The Board has restored a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) as the reduction from 10 percent was not based on adequate and thorough examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service aboard USS Mullinnix qualifies as service in the inland waterways or brown waters of the Republic of Vietnam, and therefore he is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. As a result, his death from lung cancer and coronary artery disease is considered due to service-connected causes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and a heart condition due to his military service.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 20, 2016 for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was also granted an effective date of July 20, 2016 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility based on his TDIU award.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for left lower peripheral neuropathy, right lower peripheral neuropathy, and right lower peripheral vascular disease is remanded.