Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease, scars from surgery, and service connection for a bilateral foot disability are now before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service on or near the Thai perimeter.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right knee disorder, an enlarged prostate, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is granted as presumptively associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claim for additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2019 rating decision because the appellant waived his right to collect such fees.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure during service, specifically at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base. The Veteran served in Thailand from June 12, 1968, to June 29, 1969, and reported crossing the base perimeter multiple times.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability and TDIU due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's duty status during a critical period and the need for additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease resulted in a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope from August 31, 2010 to January 30, 2011. The Board granted an initial evaluation rating of 100 percent for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heart disease was dismissed because the NOD was filed on an incorrect form (VA Form 21-0958) rather than the proper form (VA Form 10182).

The Veteran's ratings for hypertensive heart disease and tinea pedis were restored to their previous levels of 30 percent, effective December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for additional National Guard records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an undeveloped question regarding the Veteran's chest pain during service and his subsequent diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, headaches, and psychiatric disorder, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective September 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for hypertension, as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), due to incomplete VA medical opinions and a need for additional evidence regarding the relationship between herbicide exposure and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and macular degeneration as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence and unclear medical history regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and coronary artery disease, as well as TDIU, are now pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a recurrent heart disorder is denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition was caused by his service-connected osteoporosis and related medications.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for MRSA infection residuals is denied because it is not established that VA negligence caused or aggravated the condition.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder claimed as due to exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's heart disorder was less likely than not incurred in or caused by her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and remanded the claim of service connection for prostate cancer. The decision on the heart disability is due to lack of evidence linking it to service, while the prostate cancer issue requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a heart disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disability have been granted.,An effective date of March 19, 2017, has been assigned for the award of a higher rating (50%) for major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).