Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all of the remaining issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, as well as service connection claims for various disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 2017 for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as there was no indication that the Veteran had filed a claim for this condition prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, end stage renal disease with hemodialysis graft, peripheral artery disease, bilateral leg amputations, coronary artery disease (CAD) with myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, and residuals of pulmonary embolism.,VA burial allowance based on a service-connected death was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) for accrued benefits purposes is denied.,The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to undiagnosed strep throat in service that led to rheumatic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and heart condition, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents, as no such exposure is established. The Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not caused by Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and prostate cancer due to presumed herbicide agent exposure have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, ischemic heart disease (IHD), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, hypertension, brain hemorrhage, to include strokes, and memory loss. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and whether the Veteran's pre-existing conditions contributed to his death. The appellant must provide all outstanding medical records, and a VA clinician will review the claims file to determine if CAD or diabetes contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that new and material evidence supports a link between in-service bronchitis episodes and the development of COPD, which contributed to his death from pancreatic cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to non-compliance with prior remand instructions. The addendum medical opinion is needed regarding hypertension, and a new VA examination is required to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar stenosis status post fusion, left lower extremity radiculopathy (left leg disability), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (right foot disability) are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD from May 24, 2013 through February 7, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for heart disease due to herbicide exposure and granted it, finding that the Veteran's statements are credible enough to establish his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since January 6, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed herbicide agent exposure during his service in Africa, which could affect the determination of whether he is entitled to service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and vascular heart disease, finding that the conditions were first diagnosed many years after service and are less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease requires treatment with continuous medication, but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it does not result in congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete procedures.