Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disability, but denied service connection for heart condition and liver condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease status post coronary artery bypass graft and myocardial infarction was granted with an effective date of December 7, 2014. The issues of hypertension were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as a result of exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Thailand, finding that his assertions regarding perimeter contact are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The claim for service connection for low potassium is denied.,The claim for service connection for residuals, spinal tap is denied.,The claim for service connection for residuals, colon cancer is denied.,The claim for service connection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), claimed as blood clots, groin and legs is denied.,The claim for service connection for pulmonary embolism, claimed as blood clots, lungs is denied.,The claim for service connection for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) is denied.,The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied.,The claim for service connection for chronic pneumonia and residuals is denied.,The claim for service connection for a heart disability, claimed as high blood pressure, multiple blocked arteries, and heart attacks is denied.,The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is denied.,The claim for service connection for gout is denied.,The claim for service connection for arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied as the evidence did not show that it required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The coronary artery disease claim was denied due to lack of episodes of congestive heart failure or workload exceeding 3 METs resulting in symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. Diabetic neuropathy claims were also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawals by the Veteran or his representative. The appeal for secondary service connection for GERD was also dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertensive heart disease and bilateral glaucoma, but has remanded the issue of left elbow disability.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease due to lack of evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his need for aid and attendance of another person as a result of service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury. The specific conditions include PTSD, CAD, tinnitus, and hearing loss in both ears.

The Board has granted a TDIU from June 29, 2007 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities of right knee total replacement and coronary artery disease. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's application for S-DVI was denied due to his service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records, ensure compliance with VA underwriting requirements, and reassess the numerical rating.

The Veteran's entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted prior to November 3, 2016. However, the TDIU is moot due to the Veteran receiving a 100% rating from that date.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any service-connected disability or to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a service-connected condition at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear diagnoses. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA heart conditions examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD), and a VA examination to determine whether any lung condition is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins. The earlier effective date claim for service connection for IHD was denied as it was received within 1 year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and right ankle limitation of dorsiflexion are granted. Ischemic heart disease is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, while the right ankle condition is presumed as it began during combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied as there was no formal or informal claim submitted prior to October 27, 2014.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease, should be remanded due to outstanding relevant records not having been reviewed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, heart disease, residuals of a head injury other than headaches, right and left CTS due to failure to provide VA medical opinions and examinations as requested in prior remands. The rating issues related to temporary total ratings for bilateral CTS are also remanded as they are dependent on the outcome of these service connection issues.