Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, ED, incontinence with urinary frequency, coronary artery disease status post pacemaker implant, and residuals of a stroke disability. The TDIU claim is also on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that it is caused by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The VA denied a higher rating for coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction prior to November 6, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart Disease is granted. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated treatment records and an examination regarding a bladder condition, which may be related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and DIC benefits based on the cause of death. The Veteran's death was due to coronary artery disease, which is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, and thalamic pain syndrome with presumed thalamic stroke as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disorders.,The Board found that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his service-connected respiratory disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to Agent Orange and the cause of his death. The VA is instructed to attempt verification of exposure, obtain relevant medical records, and provide a VA opinion on whether the Veteran’s death was related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent disability for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a proper examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the failure to address whether the assigned effective dates for increased ratings were proper. The appellant must be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these issues.

The Veteran's flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches), are found to be related to his service. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.,Service connection is granted for flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches).

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically hypertension. The criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were also not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's testicular cancer is not service-connected, and his heart disability cannot be determined at this time due to insufficient evidence. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Additional development is needed to confirm his reported experience.

The Veteran's cause of death, myocardial infarction, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable throughout the appeal period, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the cause of the Veteran's death and his service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and sinus bradycardia, as well as increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and cervical spine disability. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of a left upper extremity neurological disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spondylosis and a heart condition, to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure, are remanded. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left upper extremity carpal tunnel is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and considering certain factors related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.