Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations and earlier effective dates for service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and kidney disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition claimed as ischemic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange is denied. The claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy, left and right upper extremities, are remanded.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Right Neck. The Board finds that there is no current disability for IHD and denies this claim.,Regarding Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Right Neck, the Veteran was diagnosed in 2009 but has not had any recurrence since treatment. The Board does not find evidence to support a connection between Agent Orange exposure and the cancer.

The Veteran's subjective movement disorder, manifested by spasms and jerking in the left upper and lower extremities and swelling in the left lower extremity, is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The rating for residuals of shell fragment wound of the posterior left chest remains at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his in-service exposure to toxic chemicals, including Scotchal, which contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective May 20, 2016. A TDIU rating is granted effective May 20, 2016.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a rash of the bilateral legs is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been dismissed. The appeal concerning his back disability has been remanded, as well as the bilateral leg disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, CAD, and gastritis need to be remanded due to incomplete STRs and missing military personnel records. The claim for gastritis must also be remanded as it requires a direct service connection opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective date claims related to TBI residuals, headache disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD with depressive disorder, and left eyebrow scar residuals. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder; and entitlement to total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the need for further verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or direct service connection.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the Board dismissed both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand is presumed and thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection has not been granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition, rheumatic heart disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prolonged breathing problems, a heart condition, erectile dysfunction, foot fungus, and hearing loss of the left ear. The appeals are all denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension due to new research findings linking hypertension to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident and initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the reopening of the hypertension claim. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disorder and head injuries, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or direct causation. The Board found that the Veteran did not experience current residuals from acknowledged in-service head injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to its dependency on another claim, and also because it is related to a heart failure claim. The cause of death must be determined based on all evidence.