Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted a rating of 60 percent effective January 27, 2012. The TDIU claim for prior to October 23, 2008, was also granted.

The reduction in the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% was not proper, and the Veteran's entitlement to a restored 50% rating for headaches is granted. The issue of service connection for a heart disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are still pending.,An effective date earlier than May 21, 2013 has not been established for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease with PCI, allergic rhinitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and consideration of the claims.

The Veteran's heart disability, along with other service-connected conditions, does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease presumed caused by herbicide exposure. The appellant did not have a pending claim at the time of her husband's death, so she is not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, denied service connection for tinnitus and heart condition, and denied service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of cervical spine disability is denied, but the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy from June 19, 2017, and left upper extremity radiculopathy remains pending.

The appeal with respect to the Veteran’s entitlement to service connection for atrial fibrillation (claimed as a heart condition), to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is dismissed. The RO denied service connection for an enlarged prostate in October 2017 and continued current disability ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, and right knee instability in May 2018. The Veteran asked that his appeal with respect to entitlement to service connection for a heart condition be canceled prior to promulgation of a Board decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and COPD due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The AOJ is required to obtain additional records from Detroit VAMC and Dr. Boren, as well as a new opinion on whether any heart condition meets the criteria for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and if it is etiologically related to service, including herbicide agent exposure. An etiological opinion regarding hypertension is also needed. The AOJ must issue a SOC for the claim of service connection for COPD.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran's bicuspid aortic valve and PFO are congenital defects not subject to superimposed disease or injury during service. The coronary artery disease (CAD) is considered a common disease with no correlation to service or chemical exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including residuals of pneumonia, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and GERD. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The examiner is asked to provide a supplemental opinion addressing this issue.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, and squamous cell carcinoma as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and residuals of a tumor removal to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional opinions addressing these matters.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions and for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cataracts, heart disability, hypertension, renal cell carcinoma, and skin disability/cancer due to exposure to non-ionizing radiation and/or solvents.