Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease. The claims are being remanded for a VA examination and for the RO to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, finding that there is no nexus between these conditions and his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to determine if his heart disabilities and hypertension are related to service, including considering whether he was exposed to herbicides during service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not considered presumptively service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it manifested within a year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, valvular heart disease, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as upper extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was granted a 100% rating effective June 25, 2019. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type and for service connection for a heart condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and verification of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including neurological disabilities of the hands, PTSD, gastrointestinal disorders, and heart disabilities were denied. The claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability was also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development regarding service connection for a heart disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at a 60 percent rating from July 28, 2009 to March 11, 2011. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a heart condition, including bicuspid aortic valve disease is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his skin disability and hypertension. The heart, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are denied.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and the issue regarding the severance of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disability, hypothyroidism, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, sleep apnea, and bilateral cataracts due to exposure to non-ionizing radiation from radar equipment. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and failure to comply with previous directives. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for Vet Center treatment records from November 2018 to the present.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of left hip disability, right hip disability, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes type II, coronary artery disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and mood disorder, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was denied prior to June 12, 2013 and granted from that date.,Service connection for depression as secondary to ischemic heart disease was granted.

The Veteran's heart condition is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to provide an adequate causal link opinion regarding the onset of his heart condition and its relation to service, including exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam.