Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and supraventricular arrhythmia due to new evidence suggesting an increase in severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the increased ratings.

The Board has determined that a VA addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's heart disabilities are related to his service, specifically his exposure to high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE).

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from November 22, 2013 to April 1, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities including diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and verification of exposure. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease and back disorder are not service-connected.,Service connection for the right total knee replacement is denied as new evidence does not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's current coronary artery disease is presumed to be etiologically related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for obesity and hypercholesterolemia due to the lack of a recognized disability. The remaining issues have been remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the denial of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension. The evidence supports the conclusion that both conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was denied as the claim is not warranted under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional VA opinions. The claims are related to amputation of the left leg below the knee, coronary artery disease with peripheral vascular disease, histoplasmosis in both eyes, and scarring of the lungs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, increased rating for right elbow disability, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current heart condition or evidence of chronicity of care for heart disease during service. For his right elbow disability, the Board noted inadequate examination findings regarding additional limitation with repeated use over time. His fracture of the right mandible was rated based on its severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 26, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete evidentiary development. The Veteran's cardiovascular disability, including aortic stenosis, heart murmur, rheumatic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerotic vascular disease with aortic atherosclerosis, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral arterial disease, loss of left leg below the knee, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart condition as they are related to exposure to herbicides, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the reopening of service connection for heart disease and determined that there is a nexus between the Veteran's heart disease and in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is now considered substantiated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease and its relation to service, particularly his in-service exposure to trichloroethylene. The decision also mentions that COPD may have contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide additional evidence, including private treatment records, and a VA examination by a cardiologist is required.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to verify his exposure to herbicides while stationed in Thailand, which may affect his claim for service connection of a heart disorder.