Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was caused by undiagnosed ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be service-connected. The appellant's appeal for accrued benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 has been withdrawn or dismissed due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has found that the Veteran's heart disabilities are not related to his military service or were caused by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further development is needed to obtain updated VA and private treatment records from Dr. Gogia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his heart disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his cardiovascular and kidney disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disease, skin disorder, heart condition secondary to PTSD, peripheral vestibular disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's left ear frostbite is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including precancerous lesions of the face, skin cancer, and a heart disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete verification of his claimed radiation exposure during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge for the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than November 18, 2013 for the award of service connection for rheumatic heart disease, amyloid cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, and implanted automatic defibrillator.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as well as her claim for nonservice-connected death pension due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable rate.

The Veteran's skin cancer is granted service connection, and his CAD remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board found that the Veteran's myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease were not caused by VA care, nor was it due to an event not reasonably foreseeable. The surgery itself did not cause these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and there is insufficient evidence to show his other service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure during his military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded as they require additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and heart disorder are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board denied entitlement to an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and awarded a 30 percent evaluation for cardiac arrhythmia with atrial fibrillation. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied as his current disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial increased rating for coronary artery disease is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for chloracne, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any heart disorder, including arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered on a de novo basis due to the liberalizing law adding ischemic heart disease to the list of conditions presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the VA's latest decision.