Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar on the nose is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation and clarification regarding his heart condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claim for bladder cancer is remanded due to new evidence submitted after the transfer of his appeal to the Board.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The appellant's type 2 diabetes mellitus is now service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and there is no current diagnosis.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran’s low grade transitional cell carcinoma of the gallbladder and his military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.,The heart disability, hypertension, residuals of the removal of the gallbladder, and bladder cancer are not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service exposures.,The Veteran's heart disability was diagnosed after separation from service. The examiner did not provide an opinion on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and gastrointestinal disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease due to a lack of a medical opinion linking these conditions to his military service, particularly his presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's heart condition. The earlier effective date claim is denied as the earliest date that could be assigned is the one already assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a vision disability is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral median neuropathy, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, cervical spine disability, memory loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the most recent Statements of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, psychiatric disability, diabetic neuropathy, diabetes, stroke residuals, tinnitus, and bilateral foot neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim before November 12, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Appellant's claim regarding the cause of the Veteran’s death, including reviewing private treatment records and VA medical records. The examiner will need to provide a fully-explained opinion on whether the service-connected depressive disorder and/or OSA disabilities were a causal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including mental health conditions, GERD, hearing loss, ankle and spine disabilities, as well as a heart disability. The RO has not yet addressed the earlier effective dates for these conditions and is remanded to do so.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employability despite his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further medical evaluation and a social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since January 23, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart disability and its connection to service, specifically his alleged exposure to chemicals during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA-provided care, and the Board denied entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, nervous condition, and heart disorder (including coronary artery disease).