Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination, requiring an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's vertigo with associated hearing loss, otitis media and right ear cholesteatoma with tinnitus is rated at 100% from December 15, 2008 to February 22, 2012. A 40% rating is granted for service-connected lumbosacral strain and spondylosis prior to March 26, 2012.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted are inadequate and requires additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's cardiac and brain disabilities are related to his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the claim for a cardiac examination and to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins or psychiatric disorder aggravates his heart disability.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the condition did not manifest during qualifying service and is unrelated to service-connected coronary artery disease. The VA medical opinion provided in February 2020 found that hypertension was less likely than not proximately due or aggravated by service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and DJD of the right knee and left foot, have resulted in a loss or use of one lower extremity that precludes locomotion without assistive devices. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to schedule VA examinations as directed in a previous decision. The Veteran is advised that failing to attend these exams will result in their consideration based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a heart disability and DIC based on a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran’s death, including concerns about VA's failure to provide an SOC regarding accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease has been reopened. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease. The claim for PTSD also claimed as anxiety and depression is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Right Shoulder Disorder, and Erectile Dysfunction as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty or ACDUTRA service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded as the evidence is conflicting.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding the preponderance of evidence against a nexus to active duty service. The Board also denied service connection for cardiovascular disorder due to herbicide exposure, concluding that there was no credible medical opinion linking it to service.,Service connection for these conditions is not granted as the evidence does not establish a direct link between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, vertigo, and sleep apnea has been granted. Service connection is established for hearing loss as it is found to be related to his period of active service. The claims for heart disorder/disease and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the appellant's claim regarding the Veteran’s cause of death, specifically his multiple parachute jumps in service and their potential connection to his portal vein thrombosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, back, heart, shin splints, and TB.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for the awards of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates were set at February 21, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was found to be at a 100% level of disability as of December 18, 2019. The Board granted an earlier effective date for this rating increase from that date.