Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted, with the presumption of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both reopened but denied.,The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.,Her claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied chest pain claim has been granted, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding when the Veteran's coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease first manifested to a compensable degree, as well as clarification on whether his valvular heart disease is a form of ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is denied as he does not have an additional disability that is not already service-connected due to VA treatment in June 2014. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is granted, and the issue of increased rating for heart disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with substitution and accrued benefits claims, which are inextricably intertwined with the service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The claim will be further developed by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran had presumed in-service exposure and a current disability of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and missing records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine if he has current disabilities, their etiology, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating for CAD and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA medical opinion on METs level.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding his physical and mental abilities related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides. Tinnitus is also granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for a renal condition and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains pending as the Veteran has not been examined regarding these conditions. Bilateral SNHL's service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gouty arthritis and ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the claim for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was not granted for gouty arthritis or ischemic heart disease because there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, ischemic heart disease, and various gunshot wound residuals, have resulted in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure for further development, including verification of exposure and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded as it may be related to his diabetes.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease is granted. Service connection for GERD, hypertension, sleep apnea, TBI, urinary tract infection, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and a back disorder are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of coronary artery disease and glucagonoma due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been granted, but with a 10% rating each. The effective date for these grants is October 14, 2014.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, the issue of erectile dysfunction remains pending.