Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no evidence of a heart condition in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between current heart issues and military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sciatica, back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, cold injury residuals, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder of the feet, fibromyalgia, stroke with left-side balance impairment, headaches (migraines), degenerative bone disease, heart disability, muscle pain and soreness, and a left eye disability. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential intermediate stop of obesity between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for worsening of a heart condition due to VA treatment delays, requesting additional evidence and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a heart disorder, as it is unclear if there was an additional disability due to disease or injury superimposed upon the Veteran's congenital atrial septal defect during service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS (claimed as PTSD), has been rated at 50% since April 9, 2012. The issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease with artery bypass graft is remanded.,Service connection for right hip condition and left hip condition secondary to service-connected back disability are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to the need for clarification regarding the severity of the Veteran's coronary artery disease throughout the appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure are rated at 60 percent since May 11, 2012. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of evidence. The claims are related to respiratory, heart, and sleep disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson’s disease and coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, as his non-service-connected conditions limit his ability to live independently.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, specifically atrial fibrillation and other diagnoses. The Veteran needs new medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation by service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction as a residual of prostate cancer is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left shoulder disability, low back disability, and heart disability due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining missing colonoscopy records and seeking an opinion on whether a more comprehensive colonoscopy should have been performed.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran has been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, a recognized presumptive disorder related to herbicide agent exposure. The claim is being returned for further examination and medical opinion.