Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity polyneuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy have been granted. The appeals are remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection of asthma and sleep apnea, as well as his claims for service connection of bilateral upper and lower extremity polyneuropathy.

The Veteran's spouse, L.H., is the caregiver and has been providing personal care services for him. The Board found that participation in the PCAFC would significantly enhance his ability to live safely at home. However, the claim was remanded due to incomplete caregiver training and assessment.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia, with diabetes, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer contributing to his condition. As these conditions are presumed due to herbicide exposure during service, the Board granted service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange and insufficient evidence of a diagnosis within one year of discharge. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 1, 2021, for the painful right-hand scar was denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to July 1, 2021. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260 and cannot be increased.,The Veteran's service-connected right-hand shell fragment wound has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 22, 2007. He was granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD in July 2021.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The heart disorder is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his causes of death, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service and presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The decision also grants presumptive service connection for chronic hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and Total Disability Rating Based Upon Individual Unemployability due to Service-Connected Disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's last day of substantially gainful employment was May 11, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II to include as due to asbestos exposure. Further development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder with obsessive compulsive features was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied due to the lack of a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and the absence of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease due to in-service herbicide exposure are being remanded for additional development. The Board is requesting information from the Veteran regarding his alleged Gulf of Tonkin service, which could potentially establish presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, pulmonary disability, and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions and missing evidence.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty service. The Veteran was exposed to commercial herbicides at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (hypertensive heart disease, heart failure, COPD, and pacemaker) was not related to service or any service-connected disability. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's breast cancer is being remanded for further development to determine its relationship to her service-connected conditions and whether it was caused or aggravated by VA treatment.,A medical opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's breast cancer, as well as any additional disability related to hormone replacement therapy.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes and coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease (IHD), eye disorder, kidney disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The claim for follicular lymphoma is being remanded.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents or any other chemical exposure during service.

Service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent bilateral eye disability is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent heart disability (including atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeat) is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent headache disability is granted.,Service connection for gout is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.