Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appeals concerning tuberculosis, heart condition, shortness of breath, and joint decompression and/or body aches were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and heart condition (CAD) were reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claims for heart condition (CAD) and right knee disability remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral pseudophakia, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and a kidney condition are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder were denied, while he was granted a TDIU rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for joint problems of the neck, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides, squamous cell carcinoma, top of left hand, and lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus, post laminectomy syndrome (L5-S1) with lumbar instability.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The lung condition claim is remanded as new VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of in-service noise exposure.,PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's symptoms warrant a higher rating.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD with residuals of TBI is dismissed. The appeals to reopen claims for service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of bilateral knees, Ischemic Heart Disease, and Hand Tremors are granted.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea had its onset during active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition, to include hiatal hernia and multiple gallstones, as secondary to service-connected PTSD, and for entitlement to TDIU prior to December 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and a heart condition were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD from March 11, 2013 to April 13, 2015 was also denied.,A 70 percent rating for MDD beginning April 14, 2015 was granted. The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 11, 2013 and August 3, 2015 were denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities found are not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing records and to clarify whether the Veteran served in Southwest Asia. The issues of reopening the cervical spasm and back condition claims are deferred until all missing records have been obtained.

The Veteran was diagnosed with heart disease, including myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, which is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.,Service connection for GERD and a gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD are denied. The Veteran has not been diagnosed with these conditions, nor can they be linked to his service or a service-connected condition.,Coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as sudden cardiac death due to hypertensive heart disease. The Board finds that a remand is required to address whether the Veteran’s fatal hypertensive heart disease may be related to his presumed in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives regarding obtaining medical records for ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarctions, and coronary artery disease. The appellant is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records and a VA cardiologist will be requested to review the claims file and provide an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and exposure to toxic chemicals while serving on naval vessels. Additional medical examination is required.