Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include as due to exposure to jet fuel, finding that there was insufficient evidence linking his coronary artery disease to active service.

The Veteran's renal failure/kidney problem appeal is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss has been granted service connection. The appeals for ischemic heart disease, acoustic neuroma, and right ear nerve damage are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU due to his unemployability. The case is remanded for further development regarding an increased rating for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, including a request to extend a temporary total disability rating beyond September 1, 2015, has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and residuals of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to clarify his current conditions and their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes due to potential exposure to burn pits during active duty in Panama.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 100% disability rating for his service-connected heart disability as the evidence does not show actual improvement in symptoms or ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work from June 20, 2008, to June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease to include as due to exposure to certain herbicide is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scars of the chest and left arm as secondary to treatment for ischemic heart disease is granted.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) previously claimed as gas in the abdomen, and this claim is now reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for removal of left testicle is remanded.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 60% rating for the period prior to April 12, 2017 and from August 1, 2017 onwards. The Board found that his condition worsened as evidenced by symptoms such as unstable angina, dyspnea, fatigue, and feelings of syncope.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to insufficient verification of his exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand. The Board will request additional information from the Veteran and refer the case to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) for further investigation.

The Veteran's death was caused by esophageal cancer, which is due to or as a consequence of coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the Veteran had these conditions due to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Okinawa.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion and the retrieval of the full informed consent document for the stent procedure. The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if VA carelessness, negligence or error in judgment caused it.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to his military service, but further clarification is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and psychiatric disorders, as well as outstanding medical records from his 1995 myocardial infarction treatment. The AOJ is required to obtain these records and provide a new opinion on service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous remand directives. The Veteran's character of discharge from military service is being reviewed, but no service connection claims are decided as the appeal does not involve a determination on service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for multiple lipomas, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, right ear hearing loss, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher evaluations for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as service connection for left and right leg disabilities. The issues are being reviewed due to the passage of time since the NODs were filed and previous inquiries from the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's death was used as a basis for substituting the appellant in his pending claims. The Board also found that additional VA treatment records from October 2005 to August 2011 are needed, and TDIU notice is required.