Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to herbicide exposure, requiring further development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability and heart disorder to the AOJ for further development.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection of a heart disorder is also remanded. The AOJ must issue an SOC regarding whether the January 1960 rating decision was based on CUE.,The Board has again remanded the matter related to the January 1960 rating decision that denied service connection for a brain concussion and heart disease on the basis of CUE.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. Further development is needed, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's death cause, specifically regarding service connection due to herbicide exposure, compensation under 1151, whether VA failed to diagnose colon cancer prior to 2005, and whether a MRSA infection was caused by VA treatment.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right neck as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, finding that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his service and that squamous cell carcinoma is not among the diseases covered by the presumption.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, status post coronary artery bypass graft and implantable cardioverter defibrillator was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's heart disability and TIAs are not service-connected.,Service connection for right thumb thenar atrophy is granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease. The case is sent back to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder contributed to his death from lung cancer, COPD, pneumonia, and coronary artery disease. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether GAD caused or contributed substantially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings in most cases.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's vision loss claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability (osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine) and denied service connection for his heart condition (CAD and MI with CHF). The low back condition is considered to be directly related to service, while the heart condition is not linked to any in-service event or exposure.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a heart disability, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease (IHD) as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder but these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The claims include lumbar strain, lumbar spondylisthesis, COPD, heart disability, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD have rendered him unemployable, as they collectively preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right wrist condition is granted. Service connection for this condition, heart condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and melanoma secondary to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection issues were addressed.