Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, a left leg disability (including neuropathy), and a respiratory disability due to potential exposure to hazardous environmental conditions during service. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is also under review.

The Veteran's claims for heart disability, right eye macular hole, left eye disability, right small finger disability, and left small finger disability were denied. The claim for service connection for a right eye condition other than a macular hole was granted due to new evidence showing current diagnoses of cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal scars. However, the preponderance of the evidence did not support finding that any of these disabilities began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee and a VA medical opinion to determine if he was unemployable prior to July 24, 2015.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for CAD, hypertension, Crohn’s disease, and left femoral and saphenous nerve neuropathy have been denied. The effective date of service connection is February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's CAD prior to April 12, 2017 is granted at a 30 percent evaluation. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for CAD after that date is dismissed.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, prostate cancer residuals, and Type II diabetes mellitus, are found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to new evidence and a need for initial review by the Regional Office (RO).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for heart disease as it is inadequate for adjudication purposes and requires a new VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements, medical journal articles, and service treatment records will be considered in determining the nature and etiology of his heart disease, including whether it was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding treatment records and that further examination is needed to address the Veteran's left eye vision disability. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus began in basic training and has been ongoing since then. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Coronary artery disease, Barrett's esophagus, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.,A hiatal hernia is remanded as the Veteran contends it preexisted service and was aggravated by an assault during basic training. Service connection for asthma or COPD, related to asbestos exposure, is also remanded.,The Veteran's knee disorder is remanded due to his in-service specialty of wireman which may have contributed to the condition. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is also remanded.,Service connection for asthma and COPD are remanded as the Veteran contends these conditions began during service or were aggravated by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on the USS Turner Joy, which may affect service connection for a heart disability. The AOJ needs to obtain and review the ship records of the USS Turner Joy from December 1972 to June 1973.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pain disorder, heart disease, and psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has been denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or an in-service event that could be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and dizziness, sleep apnea, heart conditions, cervicogenic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's military service in his records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ needs to determine where the USS Sample served in the legally recognized territorial limits of Vietnam while the Veteran was aboard.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disabilities, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease, are related to service. The case will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.