Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to reimbursement of $7,392.00 for expenses incurred during her surviving spouse's last sickness and burial.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), cirrhosis of the liver, and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was granted. Service connection for bilateral cataracts and glaucoma due to diabetes mellitus was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his heart disabilities and exposure during service. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on METs or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy/dilatation.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the initial rating for ischemic heart disease and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is based on the need for additional medical records, particularly from a nuclear stress test and electrocardiogram results, as well as mental health treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, leg, shoulder, and heart disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide agent exposure during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal during a hearing. The issue of ischemic heart disease, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is remanded and will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service at Korat Royal Thai AFB and is entitled to presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities are granted.,Service connection is also granted for stroke, endarterectomy of the carotid artery, and peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, ulcerative colitis, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the conditions are not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran served within the territorial waters of Vietnam. The VA will seek additional records and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's IHD and diabetes mellitus if he did not serve in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the effective date of an increase in rating for peripheral vascular disease with venous insufficiency and hyperpigmentation right lower extremity. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease, and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded due to lack of timely notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma, bile duct cancer, and pancreatitis are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea during his military service is presumed. The other issues were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination in June 2015, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's heart condition is related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for ischemic heart disease and TDIU due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.