Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure, has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with coronary artery bypass graft residuals was denied as the effective date cannot be prior to February 3, 2013. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted and effective from April 30, 2001.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection for various disabilities as the Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal, indicating satisfaction with the most recent decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions addressing continuity of symptomatology.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for renal failure, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease (with stent placement) is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional development regarding herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart condition and hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure, as further development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and prostate cancer, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus Type II due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again to determine if his conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or other chemicals.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for DMII and its secondary conditions. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is presumed.

The appeal to reopen service connection for headaches and TBI residuals is granted. Service connection for these conditions is also granted. The heart disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, and the presumption of service connection applies.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart condition and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart condition resulting from testosterone prescribed for his service-connected testicular atrophy, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the treatment and the development of the heart condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and thyroid disorder due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, such as Agent Orange. The Veteran's presumptive exposure is now recognized, but further VA opinions are needed to assess the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to the Veteran's death, including those for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was present before service and not aggravated by or during service, thus denying service connection.,There is no evidence that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected costochondritis. The Board finds it unrelated to service on a direct basis as well.,Similarly, there is no evidence that the Veteran's right hip and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected costochondritis or related to in-service injury. They are found not to be related to service.,The Veteran’s heart disability was denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to service-connected costochondritis.,TDIU claim is denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation, finding that it is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for PTSD.