Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to September 15, 2014 was denied. From September 15, 2014, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for hypertensive heart disease was denied, as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease was granted with an effective date of September 12, 2018. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for end-stage renal disease and TDIU were both remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability (CAD) and diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence did not establish an etiological relationship between the disabilities and active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no case or controversy over which it may exercise jurisdiction due to the grant of service connection for nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) with cardiomyopathy.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is being remanded for further investigation due to the difficulty in confirming his exposure to herbicide agents while serving offshore of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, due to the need for clarification regarding herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Airfield in Thailand.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in 1962, which is necessary for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a failure to address VA's duty to assist. The Veteran's heart condition, claimed as ischemic heart disease, is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was improper and has granted a 100% disability rating effective April 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides while serving on Guam. The AOJ will review recent submitted reports and statements to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II (due to herbicide exposure), tinnitus, heart disability, hypertension, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, psychiatric disorder, vision loss, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is granted only in relation to the reopening of the claim for diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The issues of diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, and hepatitis are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, mantle cell cancer, diabetes mellitus with retinal involvement, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The remand also includes a request for verification of in-service stressors and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic coronary artery disease and hypertension, both linked to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's heart disease and diabetes have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful activity since the effective date of service connection, but further development is needed to assess his occupational functioning during the period at issue.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a statement of the case, as the supplemental statements of the case did not satisfy the Board's remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension, finding that the conditions did not manifest during or within one year of service separation. The Board also remanded the claim for a low back disability.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's low back disability due to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, as it was first diagnosed during active duty.,Service connection for CAD is also granted, with the Board noting that the hypertension likely aggravated this condition.