Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's tension headaches are found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability.,Service connection for an anxiety disorder is granted as it is related to the Veteran’s service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left lower extremity is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied as there is no evidence linking the disability to service.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability remains at 20% since August 9, 2017.

The Board is remanding the TDIU claim due to pending reductions and discontinuance of benefits for lung cancer and SMC. The Veteran's CAD-related hospitalization records are requested.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially to his death, and the heart disability he was seeking benefits for is determined to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants both claims.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 18, 2014 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The evidence shows that the Veteran was likely afflicted with arteriosclerotic heart disease prior to August 31, 2010 and finally received diagnoses of coronary artery disease and arteriosclerotic heart sometime in 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was rated at 60 percent for the period before November 8, 2018 and granted a 100 percent rating from that date. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to November 8, 2018.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek a definitive opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension, including whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability and its relationship to service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's death was due to service-connected conditions, but the appellant is entitled to a $300 burial allowance and a month of death benefits for his mother as he is the adult son of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a lung condition.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee condition as secondary to residuals, fracture or calcis right foot.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD related to asbestos exposure and Coronary Artery Disease as secondary to COPD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service aboard the U.S.S. Klondike, and as a result, the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange is being remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. However, these claims are remanded to obtain verification of the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam and to provide an examination to determine if his conditions are related to this exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of his VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims. The Board found insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or any other event, injury, or disease related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart condition, which he contends is related to his active military service. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for stroke, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for epilepsy. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for epilepsy, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for brain tumors, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for lung condition, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. VA treatment records reflect reports of asthma. Though the record does not contain a definitive diagnosis of asthma or other lung condition, based on his education and training the Veteran is competent to offer evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of an inguinal hernia, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. The service treatment records show a diagnosis of right inguinal hernia in May 1963 and an inguinal hernioplasty in June 1963. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diverticulitis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Veteran underwent a private colonoscopy in July 2016. The colonoscopy report reflects a diagnosis of diverticulitis and polyps. Further, STRs dated January 1966 show reports of abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, and intermittent indigestion over a period of three months. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for polyps, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of service connection for diverticulitis. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. He alleges this condition was caused or aggravated by his inguinal hernia and the 'wear and tear' associated with his military training. Alternatively, he alleges that his rheumatoid arthritis was a result of Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its relationship to service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest due to bladder cancer. The Board has determined that the Veteran had a pre-existing diagnosis of hypertension, which must be evaluated for aggravation during service and etiology outside of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to his February 14, 2017 claim.,Coronary artery disease was granted service connection effective February 14, 2017.