Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease status post bypass grafting was denied prior to May 1, 2006. From May 1, 2006 through October 31, 2008, the Veteran received an initial 60 percent disability rating and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including coronary artery disease (CAD), due to lack of evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, left hip, and left knee disabilities due to lack of a medical opinion linking these conditions to his military service. The same is true for his prostate and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 12, 2008.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected glaucoma, headaches, and sleep apnea. The TDIU issue is remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the CAD service connection decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, back disability, diabetes, and others, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents during service and concluding that CAD is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, residuals of a fractured right talus, and coronary artery disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiac arrest, with underlying causes being end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease. The Appellant seeks service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service in Vietnam. Additionally, she claims DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318. She also seeks service connection for thyroid cancer for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is not related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, and sarcoidosis. The case is remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's death was caused by a pulmonary embolus, which the Board found to be related to his service-connected atrial fibrillation. Therefore, DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, schedule an examination for the acquired psychiatric disorder, and provide a medical opinion regarding any sleep disorder. The dependent benefits claim for FM, GM, and LMM will also be addressed.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest, which the Board found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed because the cause of death has been established.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive heart disease and hypertension before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed again due to the lack of relevant evidence.

The Board has denied higher initial ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension, but has remanded the case to consider a claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for valvular heart disease and TDIU are being remanded due to unclear severity of symptoms and need for additional medical examination.