Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of 30 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to pneumonia and atherosclerotic heart disease, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure, but VA records do not confirm this exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and gastrointestinal disability, but denied service connection for a heart disability. The back disability is presumed to have started in service due to an in-service injury. The gastrointestinal disability is considered to be related to service as the Veteran reported symptoms since service. However, the heart disability was not found to be related to service or any other condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's conditions include coronary artery disease with cardiac arrhythmia, status post myocardial infraction and coronary artery bypass surgery. The issues are about initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, ED, GERD, and OSA. The decision also denied a compensable rating for hypertension.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's conditions did not have onset in or within one year of service discharge, nor are they related to any aspect of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, left ankle residuals, tonsillitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and right ear hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since June 10, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Panama, which may affect the service connection for some of his claimed conditions.

The reduction of the disability rating for coronary artery disease from 100% to 60% was not proper, so the original 100% rating is restored effective January 1, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, prostate disability, hemorrhagic fever (claimed as 'hemoratic' fever), ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and macular degeneration. The claims were based on direct service connection without any presumption or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart and lung disorders due to outstanding medical records and scheduling issues.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 100% rating from February 18, 2013 to June 25, 2015. The claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, as his service was within the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney condition secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, lung condition (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and hypertension due to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding his periods of active duty and STRs. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pulmonary hypertension and ischemic heart disease as secondary to service-connected PTSD due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new evidence received warrants readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart disability (including as secondary to hypertension), a lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development.