Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange, as it needs further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to contaminated Operation Ranch Hand C-123 aircraft during his service at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to radiation exposure during service. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical evidence or authorize VA to obtain such information.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated information regarding his educational and employment history.

The Veteran's cause of death, bilateral bronchopneumonia with complicating factors including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and hypertensive renal disease, is considered due to service-connected causes. As the Veteran served in Vietnam, his exposure to herbicides is presumed, allowing for presumptive service connection for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD)/old myocardial infarction was denied as he did not file a claim within one year of his discharge from service or until June 16, 2017.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of retroactive accrued benefits for ischemic heart disease, finding that September 17, 2003 is the earliest possible effective date based on the Veteran's initial claim for Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's widow applied for death pension due to her need for aid and attendance. The Board found that the appellant, as a son of the Veteran and his widow, was not eligible for accrued benefits because he did not meet the legal criteria to be considered a 'child' for VA purposes. However, the appellant is entitled to reimbursement for expenses he paid out of pocket for his mother's assisted living facility during her last sickness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence not previously reviewed by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer residuals and coronary artery disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding the evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.,Service connection was also granted for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and new theories presented by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's disability rating for arteriosclerotic (arterial) heart disease and coronary artery bypass graft was reduced from 60 percent to 30 percent effective July 1, 2020. The appeal is granted as the reduction was improper.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, specifically whether his stress during active duty for training and special work aggravated his condition.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evidentiary development, including an updated VA heart examination to assess the severity of his ischemic heart disease and determine if cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation existed prior to February 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. The Board also found that hypertension is secondary to diabetes and grants service connection for this condition based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cataracts and remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired heart disability, sleep apnea, gastritis, and constipation. The remaining issues have been withdrawn from appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as his exposure to herbicide agents during active service has been presumed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing the conditions began during or are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed to ascertain the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder are remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and possible verification of in-service events. The Board also finds that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorders.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.