Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's back and heart disabilities for further development. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that arteriosclerotic heart disease did not manifest during service or within one year following service and was not related to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever with systolic murmur were also found not to be the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and that this exposure is related to his diagnosed ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for heart disability has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service aboard USS Epperson. The Veteran is seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he claims was caused by his exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung and heart disabilities, which are presumed to be related to service exposure to asbestos. The claims will be reviewed with new supplemental opinions from pulmonologists and cardiologists.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete documentation, including an autopsy report.

The Veteran's death is due to his service-connected coronary artery disease, which is presumed related to herbicide exposure during temporary duty trips to Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for rheumatic heart disease, deformity of aortic valve, and aortic insufficiency due to lack of evidence indicating intent to file a claim prior to May 7, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery bypass graft times 2, ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction due to presumed exposure to herbicides. Service connection was also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as left leg condition) and left ulnar neuropathy (claimed as left elbow condition).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart, respiratory, and diabetes mellitus disabilities due to asbestos exposure during active service. The VA will obtain medical records and schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, hypertensive vascular disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of August 31, 2010, for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to ischemic heart disease. The liberalizing law that established this presumption became effective on August 31, 2010, after the appellant filed her claim to reopen in July 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of sinus, right eye, heart, face, and back conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease, finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a heart condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and residuals of a low back injury have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining issues on appeal are left leg, left shoulder, and right wrist disabilities.