Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteopenia, cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded as his prostatitis may be related to his current prostate disability. Additional development is needed regarding whether he has any residual disability from the prostatitis shown in service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic gastritis with GERD, and hemorrhoids are being remanded as his most recent examinations in August 2017 were inadequate. Additional development is needed to determine the current functional impairment resulting from these disabilities.,

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a heart disability because he was satisfied with his current 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and kidney disease, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any heart or kidney issues, and his post-service medical records also lacked relevant diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been rated at 60 percent since April 23, 2015. The rating is based on the workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than five METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, and angina.

The Veteran's cause of death due to heart disease is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no current diagnosis of this condition and thus not meeting the requirement for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity neurological disorders, diabetes, micro-albuminuria, and heart disorder other than hypertension need further examination and opinion to determine their etiology. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issue will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's stroke may be related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, but an additional VA opinion is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for IHD and Type 2 diabetes mellitus are granted. The Board finds new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, including evidence related to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The claim for diabetes mellitus type II has been reopened and granted.,The claim for coronary artery disease has been reopened and granted.,The claim for hemorrhage from brain vessels (stroke) has been reopened and denied.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and denied.,The claim for erectile dysfunction has been reopened and denied.,The claim for bilateral arthritis of the feet has been reopened and denied.,The claim for bilateral arthritis of the hands has been reopened and denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure claims. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify any exposure to radiation, toxic contamination, pesticides, and herbicides that the Veteran may have had during his service, including exposure from artillery.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and DIC are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD for accrued benefits or substitution purposes. The matter is therefore REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis of all other joints, allergies to sulfa and medications, respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma and bronchitis), skin disorder, hemorrhoids, heart disorder, prostate disorder, and disability claimed as muscle aches, pains and spasms have been dismissed. The Veteran has service connection granted for depressive disorder and IBS/GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypersomnia with sleep apnea, a heart disability, impotence of organic origin, acne, and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during service or were related to service.,The Board also found that there was no exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during the Veteran's service at Goose Bay Air Force Base in Canada.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in Thailand and Vietnam, which allows for presumptive service connection of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anemia, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure as secondary to anemia due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's anemia.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 5, 2017. His service-connected disabilities are deemed sufficient for a TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected as the Board found no evidence that his heart disease or cerebral vascular accident had its onset during service, within one year of discharge, or was otherwise related to service. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further development.