Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any service-connected disability or to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a service-connected condition at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear diagnoses. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA heart conditions examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD), and a VA examination to determine whether any lung condition is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins. The earlier effective date claim for service connection for IHD was denied as it was received within 1 year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and right ankle limitation of dorsiflexion are granted. Ischemic heart disease is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, while the right ankle condition is presumed as it began during combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied as there was no formal or informal claim submitted prior to October 27, 2014.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease, should be remanded due to outstanding relevant records not having been reviewed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, heart disease, residuals of a head injury other than headaches, right and left CTS due to failure to provide VA medical opinions and examinations as requested in prior remands. The rating issues related to temporary total ratings for bilateral CTS are also remanded as they are dependent on the outcome of these service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right breast cancer has been reopened, but the condition is not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as pneumonia and a heart condition that are secondary to the Veteran's right breast cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and a psychiatric disorder, make it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the Veteran is relevant to his claims for service connection for various conditions, and these claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence of ischemic heart disease at any point during the appeal period, and service connection cannot be granted.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there are insufficient medical records to determine its relationship to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease and valvular heart disease have been rated at 30 percent since April 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not show any episodes of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent, which would warrant a higher rating.

An initial 50 percent rating, but no higher, for adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted. Other claims are denied or remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of congestive heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction, heart disease with cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic heart disease and status post aortic valve replacement as secondary to rheumatic heart disease due to lack of new and relevant evidence within the required timeframe.

The Board found that the October 2015 rating decision assigning a 10% disability rating for ischemic heart disease was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and assigned a 100% rating effective July 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist violation. The AOJ must obtain and associate with the record any relevant private and military base treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and an initial evaluation for a stressor-related disorder. The issues include heart disorders, bilateral hearing loss, back problems, laryngeal cancer, lymph node cancer, and a stressor-related disorder. Additional evidence is needed from VA and private sources.