Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and heart condition secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for lumbosacral strain is also remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by a malignant neoplasm of the neck, metastatic to lymph nodes and bone. The Board finds that this evidence triggers VA’s duty to obtain a medical opinion to determine whether the malignant neoplasm of the neck is related to his active duty service, including exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam or an auto accident in 1976. Additionally, the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema are being reviewed for their potential relation to service, specifically the 1976 auto accident. The Board also requests a medical opinion on whether the Veteran had ischemic heart disease that caused his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased disability ratings for coronary artery disease and service connection for ulcerative colitis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his alternate theory of entitlement involving asbestos exposure. The case will be reviewed again after further development.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, PTSD, and depression due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication. The heart condition, subdural hematoma, seizure disorder, tinnitus, and residuals of a brain tumor claims are all being reviewed.

The VA reduced the Veteran's rating for coronary artery disease from 100% to 30%, effective October 1, 2019. The Board found that improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work was shown by a preponderance of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and stroke have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.,Service connection was not granted because the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service, were related to an injury or event in service, or were caused by exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's death was due to coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the conditions preexisted service or were not incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to November 2, 2012, and from January 1, 2013 to August 5, 2019, as he did not meet the schedular requirements for SMC housebound benefits.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to insufficient medical records. The appellant must provide additional evidence or information to support their claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity numbness have both been reopened, but the remanded issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease caused or aggravated his peripheral vascular disease. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's smoking history and cardiovascular history in forming their opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is not granted, while his claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and CAD have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current heart disorder and diabetes mellitus and his service, specifically exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal, specifically not pursuing the issue of an initial compensable rating for the service-connected skin graft scar of the left leg.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and thus denying the claim.