Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for COPD, a bilateral lower extremity disorder (other than neuropathy), and a heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, to include as secondary to a heart condition due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 22, 2011. From that date forward, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to cardiopulmonary arrest and coronary artery disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including exposure to chemicals like TCE, PCBs, and benzene, due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's heart disorder, as well as obtaining additional medical records. The appeal is not about service connection at this time.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 5, 2016 (the date he received his ischemic heart disease service connection) is denied as the claim was not filed within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, residual surgical scars secondary to the condition, and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, CAD, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to the need for a medical examination.,It is noted that these conditions may be secondary to obesity, which resulted from the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Veteran's back condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral cataracts, peripheral vascular disease (left and right lower extremities), coronary artery disease post-CABG, left below-the-knee amputation, status post right 4th and 5th toe amputations with foot ulcers, recurring infections, psychiatric disorder, bleeding ulcers, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support herbicide exposure in Thailand or Vietnam, which is required for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, stroke, right lower and upper extremity hemiparesis, and speech disability are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that they are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder; heart disorder; and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected arrhythmia and heart condition do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his limitations are limited to sedentary work.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, lung disorder, restless leg syndrome, neuropathy of left lower extremity, and neuropathy of right lower extremity. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death, congestive heart failure (CHF), and therefore grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 8, 2011.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 8, 1994 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD). The case is remanded to determine if a prior effective date for the increased rating can be established.