Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 31, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating for CAD.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was rated at 20 percent prior to March 31, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his education and vocational history are sufficient for him to obtain such employment.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and heart disability. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for LUE and RUE peripheral neuropathy, heart condition, and subfascial lipoma are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,Further clarification is needed regarding the characteristics and etiology of the Veteran's skin condition, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for coronary artery disease and tinnitus are remanded as additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it may be reasonably raised by his testimony at the January 2021 hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CABG, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease (CAD)/ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or continuity of symptoms after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD) are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his time stationed at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran's testimony regarding his time spent near the base perimeter credible, establishing facts-found exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease as the evidence did not show exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic heart disease, is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal of an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed.,An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for IHD is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for valvular heart disease, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient examination addressing these conditions.,The Veteran's skin condition remains under appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including reviewing new medical records submitted by the appellant and determining whether the reduction in disability rating from 60 percent to 30 percent was proper.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, including non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, sick sinus syndrome, and atrial fibrillation. The decision finds that the Veteran's current heart conditions are due to aggravation of his pre-existing congenital condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding radiation and water contamination exposure during service, as well as the cause of death.

The Veteran's cataracts were denied as the evidence did not show that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The chloracne was granted as it became manifest within one year of his separation from service and is presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Asbestosis and COPD were both denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.