Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestosis is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for asbestosis, as aggravated by CAD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims for malignant melanoma and stroke are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and PTSD, as well as a TDIU determination, were denied. The rating for CAD was not granted above 30 percent prior to May 15, 2015, due to the severity of his symptoms. The rating for PTSD was also not granted above 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, CAD, and peripheral neuropathy) made it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 30, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate notification of VA examinations for heart disability, skin condition, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, pulmonary disorder, coronary artery disease, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, chronic eye disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The right elbow disorder claim is also remanded.

The Veteran was granted effective dates of August 5, 2014 for service connection and a disability rating for right shoulder arthritis, scar status post-surgical repair right shoulder, and post-surgical residuals right shoulder. The claims were denied for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, left shoulder disorder, lung disorder, thyroid disorder, and headache disorder (secondary to service-connected disability).,The effective dates of August 5, 2014 are granted for the grants of service connection and a disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing are met.

The Veteran's ED is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected CAD and any other relevant conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for damage to the right cranial nerve V3 and coronary artery disease, status post stenting due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need further evaluations to determine his current disability levels.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The TDIU claim will be addressed after the examinations are completed.

The Board has remanded three claims: ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The claims are related as they all involve service connection for conditions associated with diabetes mellitus. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues include a non-PTSD psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from private physicians and VA hospitals. The Board will also schedule a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to his service-connected IHD or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) secondary to hypertension, and erectile dysfunction (ED) are all granted. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions began during service or are related to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM II, IHD, hypertension, ED, glaucoma, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other events that could establish presumptive service connection.,Secondary service connection was not granted as the primary conditions (DM II and IHD) were also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus due to exposure at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's assertions of herbicide agent exposure are being verified, and he will undergo VA examination.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for heart disease is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes) to include as due to herbicide exposure in service is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus with chronic kidney disease due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining medical opinions regarding potential environmental toxin exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee conditions, limitation of extension of the right knee, and instability of the right knee have been dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left foot disability, atrial fibrillation (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and chronic liver condition are remanded.