Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has previously remanded the case for a VA medical opinion, but additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's in-service heart symptoms marked the onset of his current conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for right shoulder, elbow, gallbladder removal, kidney stones, and appendix disorders. The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition, including coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, is rated at 100 percent throughout the appellate period due to a workload of three METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, or dizziness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his heart condition and PTSD, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining meaningful gainful employment. The Board has ordered additional examinations to assess the impact of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, coronary artery disease, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of proper notice and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed. A 10 percent rating was granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a heart condition, claimed as ischemic heart disease (IHD), to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has had IHD at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim and that his second-degree atrioventricular block with atrial fibrillation was not shown in service, soon after service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and gastrointestinal disability to include irritable bowel syndrome and residuals of a resection of the colon are both granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated. Specifically, VA must obtain medical records from Astoria Health and Rehab Center, Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. P. Hotvedt, Bond Clinic, and Winter Haven Hospital. Additionally, the Appellant should be asked to provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of her husband's conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Martin Memorial Medical Center from June 15 to June 18, 2011 are granted with the exception of any copayment or deductible owed by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease contributed to his cause of death, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. The evidence shows that the Veteran’s coronary artery disease may have aided or lent assistance to the production of his pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for eczema and hypoxemia are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded. The rating for non-displaced fracture of the right eye (Coat's disease) is also remanded.