Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities, including heart disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left elbow disabilities, and scars. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other conditions due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for embolism and thrombosis is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease does not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to ischemic heart disease, but COPD and pulmonary hypertension were found. The Board denied service connection for the causes of death.

The Veteran's death was due to myocardial infarction, but the Board is unable to determine if it is related to service. The cardiovascular disorder remains unclear and requires further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, hypertension, circulatory disorder, gastroparesis, and kidney disorder due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and seek addendum opinions from examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus, respiratory disability (asthma), and heart disorder. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hypertensive cardiovascular disease with coronary artery disease and chronic congestive heart failure prior to August 18, 2017 is denied. From August 18, 2017 forward, the Veteran was granted a 100 percent disability rating due to his non-ST elevated myocardial infarction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current heart conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service is causally related to his current diagnosis. The other claims of service connection are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Artery Disease are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure. Sickle Cell Trait is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and heart disorder are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to toxic herbicides. However, hypertension is denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining SSA records and needing a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for sleep disorders, specifically sleep apnea and RBD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected CAD was denied, and the claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2005. TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of November 14, 2013 for service connection of PTSD and CAD. The decision found that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to his active duty service.