Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has already granted service connection for hypertension, so the current appeal is moot.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's scar, status-post coronary artery bypass surgery. The issue of increasing the rating for service-connected coronary artery disease is remanded due to incomplete appellate consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. The diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and upper extremities are also being remanded as they may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, presumed to be related to his service in Korea due to exposure to herbicide agents, is considered a contributory cause of death. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's CAD is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected IHD, atrial fibrillation, and SSS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure, has been granted.,However, the Veteran's claim for residuals of malaria has been denied as he no longer experiences symptoms.

The Board has found that service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The Veteran's left hip condition, impairment of the knee (left knee condition), and heart condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; heart disease; low grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is required to conduct development regarding herbicide agent exposure, obtain SSA records, and provide medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, scars status post heart surgery, lung pleural effusion, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression with sleep problems and PTSD) are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicides. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for kidney, heart, groin, skin, and hiatal hernia disabilities due to chemical exposure. The Veteran's service at Camp Lejeune is noted, but no specific exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals is confirmed. Additional medical examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding insufficient evidence to establish service in Vietnam or its inland waters, and thus no presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there was not direct evidence linking the current heart condition to service.

The Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection. The Veteran does not have PTSD and his major depressive disorder is unrelated to any aspect of active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the condition presumed due to combat exposure in Vietnam.,Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran also has hypertension and left knee disability that are remanded for further review.,Diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as service-connected based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, as a result of herbicide agent exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and CAD, finding no link between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's cardiac disability, including coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, was not shown to be related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the current disability is less likely than not incurred in or caused by an injury, event, or illness during service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation have been rated, with the atrial fibrillation combined with CAD for rating purposes. The disability ratings have changed over time based on the severity of symptoms and medical findings.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both determined to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service.