Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to the lack of evidence showing herbicide exposure in service, and thus cannot establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease are being remanded for further evaluation as his claims have worsened since the last VA examinations in April 2016. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the increased rating claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's heart condition, including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and non-ischemic conditions, was aggravated during his active service in Iraq. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also a result of his cardiac disability, which he developed during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including diabetes, heart disorder, lower back condition, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and service connection. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, left eye choroidal tear, and tinnitus, did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating prior to May 16, 2017. However, there is evidence suggesting he may have been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these disabilities. The Board referred this issue to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an opinion under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted effective January 3, 1990. The condition is presumed to have arisen due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective August 31, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including valvular heart disease and intraventricular conduction defect, is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it was caused by herbicide agent exposure or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected for burial purposes due to the absence of a service-connected disability at the time of his death. The claim for accrued benefits was also denied as there were no pending claims or unpaid benefits at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease as secondary to herbicide agent exposure is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disabilities and several other conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he meets the criteria for loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma, deviated septum, and a heart disability due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on exposure to diesel fuel and other fumes during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease with coronary bypass graft, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar strain, mild muscle weakness in multiple extremities, and embolic stroke residual, were granted effective from March 31, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease and compensation rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 9, 2018 are also pending.