Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) and is granted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) and is granted.,The Veteran's skin cancer is related to his military service and is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional service treatment records due to incomplete information.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and for 30 percent and 60 percent for coronary artery disease prior to July 1, 2017, and beginning July 1, 2017 respectively. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest and congestive heart failure, is found to be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of such a condition during or proximate to the pendency of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, or that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam is granted, effective September 12, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service and thus entitled to presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease from August 1, 2018, to July 13, 2022, is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or amended criteria for DC 7006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to new evidence received after the initial decisions. The Veteran is entitled to earlier effective dates for service connection of CAD, surgical scar, and atrial fibrillation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and heart disability due to service connection, as there are outstanding private medical records that need to be obtained and a new or addendum medical opinion is needed. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, secondary to service-connected PAD, on a causation basis.,The Board has also granted service connection for left foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as some of the disability evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action due to the need to obtain SSA records and consider new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from May 13, 2016 to October 17, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, finding that her current disability is at least in equipoise with service connection due to a history of valvular heart disease and related symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease and paroxysmal heart arrhythmia. The examiner is asked to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which may be an intermediate step in establishing service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, skin disability, and PTSD as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's statements regarding his alleged exposures were found to be inaccurate.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to a need for updated medical evidence and examinations.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents, with the PACT Act providing presumptive service connection for hypertension. Service connection for PTSD is also granted based on in-service combat experience.,Remanded issues: service connection for fragment wounds to the left arm, right arm, and head.