Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and burial benefits due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information on whether the Veteran's heart conditions have both a conclusive etiology and pathophysiology. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner or Gulf War medical professional.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus II, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU).

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of upper respiratory infections was denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and verify the Veteran’s presence in Vietnam.

The Veteran's CAD and diabetes mellitus are presumed to have been incurred in active service due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities is at least as likely as not caused by his diabetes mellitus, which is also presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.,High cholesterol claim was dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,An acquired psychiatric disorder claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's skin disorder has not required treatment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status was not established due to his service-connected disabilities, as the majority of his physical limitations were caused by nonservice-connected conditions. The Board found that SMC is not warranted based on either the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's service in Thailand during the Vietnam Era is presumed to have exposed him to Agent Orange, and his ischemic heart disease is considered a presumptive disability. The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's service as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate caused or contributed to his pulmonary fibrosis, which is a significant factor in his death. The VA will need to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.

The appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for ischemic heart disease have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his service-connected cold weather injuries. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is being remanded, as well as the pending claim for cold weather injuries.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no current diagnosis of the condition. The Veteran's hypertension and thyroid disorder have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension and thyroid disorder are related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating, which requires chronic congestive heart failure or an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and denied a prior effective date, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. The Board also determined that there was no earlier effective date due to lack of evidence of service connection prior to April 22, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse, liver disorder, IHD, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, hypertensive heart disease, and hypertension are all denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective January 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service at Korat RTAFB in Thailand. The other issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The appeals to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and irritable bowel syndrome are all being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a dental condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability has been denied as there is no evidence of such disability during or in proximity to the appeal period.