Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, which is a necessary step before determining service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (CAD, PTSD, and other conditions) render him in need of aid and attendance due to physical limitations caused by his multiple health issues. The Board has granted SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and CAD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service elevated blood pressure levels and that the currently diagnosed CAD was caused by the now service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to exposure to herbicide Agent Orange during his time stationed at the Ubon RTAFB.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 1, 2020.

Your appeal to establish service connection for valvular heart disease has been dismissed because you withdrew your appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral eye condition (cataracts) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other basis for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any disability incurred in or aggravated by service to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease did not result in acute coronary occlusion or thrombosis, or repeated anginal attacks that precluded more than light manual labor during the claim period. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, left ventricle dysfunction, and congestive heart failure based on presumed herbicide exposure. The decision also grants secondary service connection for these conditions due to the Veteran's existing hypertension.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's heart disability claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining VA treatment records from January 29, 2020 to March 24, 2020. The Board will obtain these records and consider the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's heart disability claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining VA treatment records from January 29, 2020 to March 24, 2020. The Board will obtain these records and consider the increased rating claim.

The Board has restored service connection for Diabetes Mellitus with Erectile Dysfunction and Ischemic Heart Disease, finding the prior severance decision was improper due to incorrect exposure information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, ankle, knee, heart, and bilateral eye disorders, due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are likely to prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The claims for increased ratings in various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with stent placement, myocardial infarction, and stable angina was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical records regarding whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease, which is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure. The VA will seek additional private medical records and provide an addendum opinion on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for congestive heart failure with implanted AICD, colon condition, thyroid goiter post-excision, and tracheal lesion post-excision are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding exposure to herbicides.