Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a heart disability due to service, as the VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate and requires further examination. The matter will be returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malignant melanoma, lymphoma, tinnitus, obesity, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea have all been denied. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service dates and the relationship between his hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and death. The AOJ is instructed to verify the specific dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA service from 2006 to 2007 and obtain an addendum VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and heart condition due to inadequate VA opinions. The claims are now back before the Board.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, effective date determinations, and increased ratings. The Veteran's attorney raised concerns about the qualifications of some VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his PTSD rating is denied, and he is granted a TDIU effective March 14, 2017. His PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and major depressive disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 5, 2020. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending appeal for service connection of MDD.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new legal developments and requests for additional evidence, specifically deck logs of the USS Oriskany.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and polycythemia vera. The claims for sleep apnea syndrome, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and frequent urination (secondary to prostate cancer) are remanded due to the need to obtain SSA medical records.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as there was no service-connected disability that caused or contributed to his death, and exposure to herbicide agents during military service cannot be presumed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD associated with herbicide exposure was denied as there is no evidence indicating the Veteran had interest in claiming this condition prior to February 13, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, skin cancer, and cerebrovascular accident with residuals of left side weakness were denied as there was no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for additional dependency compensation for his spouse B.J.N. was denied as there is no evidence of a valid claim within one year of the notification that he was being paid as a single veteran with no dependents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea, and also noted that he may have ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of records.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability (arrhythmia and hypertension) and right shoulder disability, finding no evidence of a current condition related to service. Service connection was granted for left shoulder radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, including as due to chemical exposure from weapons stockpiles and ammunition depots, or asbestos exposure aboard a U.S. Naval vessel, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam Era.