Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its relation to his death. An addendum opinion is needed to clarify whether the conditions discussed in the February 2013 letter contributed substantially or materially to the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of whether the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer contributed to his death, and because an opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s hypertensive heart disease and herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards during his active service. The claims will be reconsidered after additional development is conducted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam. The appellant contends that the Veteran's death from ischemic heart disease should be service connected based on his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II as a result of exposure to herbicide agents due to additional development needed, including obtaining deck logs from ships that may have transported the Veteran through off-shore waters in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's heart disorder claim due to a lack of information regarding his service during STARS training. The lumbar spine disability evaluation issue requires compliance with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, DM, hepatitis C and fatty liver, a skin condition, and a heart disability. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's heart disease and hypertension are not service-connected.,The Veteran's blood clots of the left leg, erectile dysfunction, right knee disorder, upper back disorder, foot disorder, sleep apnea, and abdominal aortic aneurysm are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease) do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and a TDIU is granted. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the contribution of his service-connected coronary artery disease to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a heart disability, as well as the claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran is also required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is being remanded due to lack of a medical opinion regarding exposure and causation.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, CAD, or PTSD.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease has been increased to 30 percent, effective February 9, 2010. The increase is based on evidence of left atrial dilatation documented in an echocardiogram.