Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents, as well as asbestos exposure. The issues include heart disability, hypertension, prostate cancer, skin disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and insomnia), a heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease), type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hemorrhoids have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for hepatitis C and the other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge for the period from January 2005 to October 2008 should be remanded, as well as his claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sacroiliac weakness, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral leg shin splints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hammertoes, bilateral foot disorder, hypertensive heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, maxilla oral surgery scarring, tooth loss and periodontal disease, skin cancer, facial scarring, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. The case was remanded to obtain private medical records and other relevant evidence, but no response was received from the Veteran or his spouse.

The Veteran was in receipt of a higher disability compensation rate, preventing the appellant from receiving NSC pension benefits for reimbursement of expenses related to her father's last sickness and burial.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as new and material evidence had been received. The heart condition and low back disability are remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, but the heart condition and low back disability remain unresolved.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and aortic stenosis/valvular heart disease (with heart valve replacement and implanted cardiac pacemaker) due to herbicide exposure or on a secondary basis to service-connected hypothyroidism. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his active service, including due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's stroke was granted service connection and is considered proximately due to his service-connected diabetes.,His diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20% rating, as he does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD, status post coronary artery bypass surgery, from February 7, 2013 to March 18, 2014 is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist. Specifically, the AOJ did not inform the Veteran that a VA Form 21-4142 was invalid and therefore unable to be processed. Additionally, new opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer is granted, with the cause potentially linked to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease due to lack of a definitive opinion on whether it is related to service or any other condition, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue on appeal, and thus another remand is required. Additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records from Riverside Medical Group for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease between August 30, 2006, and March 29, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service and is not related to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure, as they are unclear whether the Veteran was exposed to qualifying chemicals during his confirmed service in Guam from March 1965 to August 1966.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of a diagnosis of heart disease prior to August 18, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected heart disease is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded four issues for additional development, including VA examinations to address the current nature and severity of service-connected prostate cancer with associated residuals, coronary artery bypass, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disabilities, including bicuspid aortic valve stenosis and atrial fibrillation, are related to his service or any service-connected conditions.