Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was caused by duodenal cancer with metastasis, but the significant condition contributing to his death was ischemic heart disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and the earlier effective date for service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder due to the lack of current evidence and because there is no nexus between any diagnosed condition and active duty service.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a stroke and acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the TDIU claim, due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was dismissed. The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that it had its onset during active service or was otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide exposure due to outstanding medical records and further investigation into the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection on accrued benefits and substitution basis due to new evidence being added to the file, including medical records and the Appellant's hearing testimony. The AOJ must make a determination regarding the Appellant’s request for substitution and provide appropriate notifications.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and left knee disability have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions based on the continuity of symptomatology since the in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) as a result of exposure to herbicides due to insufficient evidence regarding his alleged exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to June 24, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU beginning June 24, 2013 is moot as the Veteran has a schedular 100 percent rating for his heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination, including obtaining updated medical evidence and VA examinations.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure in Vietnam. The low back disability claim is remanded as the Board did not provide a VA examination.

The Board has ordered an expert medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's heart disorder existed prior to service and was aggravated by service, or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in service. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran served within the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam during his service aboard the U.S.S. Hancock.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of back pain and granted it. The claims for heart disability (hypertension) and stroke with left side weakness tremors, as secondary to hypertension, are denied. The claim for service connection of back disability, claimed as secondary to right knee disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease and a TDIU prior to January 8, 2019 are being remanded due to the addition of new VA medical records and a Disability Benefits Questionnaire.

The Veteran's increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder are denied. A Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected coronary artery disease was denied, but he was granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.