Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a heart disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and an eye disability. The equilibrium disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed heart disorder, skin cancer, precancerous lesions of the face, hair loss, and a skin disorder manifested by redness of the face and arms as they were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and service connection for retinopathy as a complication of his diabetes mellitus has been granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim was withdrawn during the hearing, and he is now receiving TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the appeals are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, skin condition, and right finger disability due to incomplete examination records and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, including atrial fibrillation, and a lung disorder due to lack of evidence showing the conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,While the Veteran had diagnoses of heart disorders and lung disorders prior to his death, the preponderance of the evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease and remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, heart disorder, arthritis, and esophagus disorder due to incomplete development of records and need for new opinions.

The Veteran's lung disability, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease were not found to be related to service. The Veteran's DM is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy (PN), bilateral lower extremities, including as due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, has also been denied.

The Board has granted an initial 60 percent rating for non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), effective from November 17, 2010. The Veteran's METs levels have been between greater than 3 and less than or equal to 5 during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 9, 2013 for CAD and for earlier effective dates for SMC, TDIU, and DEA based on new evidence that may affect these decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right eye retina disability, GERD, constipation, COPD, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and erectile dysfunction, as they are not shown to be related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that further medical guidance is necessary to determine whether the Veteran's heart murmur is a congenital or developmental defect, and if so, whether it was aggravated by service. The issues of secondary service connection for various conditions are also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the evaluation of coronary artery disease status post CABG and stent, including a retrospective medical opinion from July 9, 2001. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability prior to January 8, 2018, is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the heart disability issue.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to insufficient evidence showing a link between the Veteran's military service and his heart conditions, which were deemed not principal or contributory causes of death. The exposure to herbicide agents during military service in Thailand was also not supported by sufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted, and because the issues are inextricably intertwined with hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service injury that could support a grant of service connection.