Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records, particularly regarding TMJ and CAD treatment from January 2010 to August 2017. The VA must obtain these records and provide an addendum medical opinion on the severity of TMJ flare-ups. Additionally, a new VA examination is needed to assess the impact of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs further development to determine if he served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive service connection under Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to receive financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the lack of a VA examination and missing test results.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular block, and cardiac pacemaker as secondary to coronary artery disease due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the previous VA examination did not consider the collective impact of all his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and heart disorder secondary to herbicide exposure due to insufficient development in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, a condition associated with herbicide agent exposure. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service on or near the perimeters of Thailand military bases. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether any heart disability is related to service. The cause of death claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant's claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and death pension benefits were denied due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 14, 2017, for service connection for coronary artery disease and PTSD. The claims were not filed within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not present during or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease, due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Gulf War. The Veteran's current diagnosis of an implanted cardiac pacemaker is also relevant to this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a heart disability, respiratory disability, and skin disability are remanded due to the complexity of his medical condition.

The Veteran's heart disorder is being remanded for additional development to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has granted compensation benefits for the Veteran's heart disorder, but has found that a psychiatric disorder may be related to his service-connected heart disorder. The case is being remanded to address this issue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart disease and prostate cancer, both secondary to PTSD, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart condition is denied, and the case is remanded for further action regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for gout with arthritis and ischemic heart disease, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange or other chemicals. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease as due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted. The issues of service connection for nasopharyngeal cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, eye disability, balance/vestibular disorder, sinusitis and depressive disorder are remanded.