Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease was denied as the condition has not been manifested by chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and associated conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hypertension, lung disability, and neuropathy. The remand is due to incomplete or inadequate examinations, outstanding VA records, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The DIC claim was dismissed as moot since the cause of death is now established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service, but there is insufficient evidence or adequate opinion regarding the specific exposure basis.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependence, coronary artery disease, neuropathy of the legs, loss of vision in the left eye, cataracts, atrial fibrillation, obesity, cerebrovascular accident, diabetes mellitus, porokeratosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease contributed to his death, specifically his failure to thrive. The cause of death was listed as esophageal cancer.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated at Level I throughout the appeal period.,The claims for service connection of neck condition and HTN are being remanded due to new evidence having been received.,Service connection is being granted for Type II diabetes mellitus (DM2) as secondary to HTN.,HTN is being remanded due to insufficient rationale provided by the examiner.,Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is being remanded due to insufficient rationale provided by the examiner.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim is being remanded for further review of the audiometry records in his service treatment records.,Service connection for neck condition is being remanded as there was no consideration of the Veteran's lay report.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) secondary to service-connected PTSD is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's right knee, including those for increased ratings and service connection. The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding these issues at a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his heart condition and service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU/SMC prior to April 9, 2019 due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in functional impairment sufficient to prevent substantially gainful employment prior to July 7, 2017.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was an underlying cause of his death and at least as likely as not related to his active military service. The decision is based on the presumption of herbicide exposure during service at Takhli AFB in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding possible exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically from March through May 1969. The Veteran's claims for gout with arthritis and ischemic heart disease are being reviewed again due to previous denials.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his scars associated with ischemic heart disease and coronary artery bypass surgery is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease was granted with an effective date of July 17, 2014. The Board found that the earlier effective date of November 7, 2002, as requested by the Veteran, could not be established due to lack of a timely claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for PTSD and heart disability as new evidence was added to the file since the last Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving at Don Muang RTAFB and if his duties placed him near the base perimeter. The appellant asserts exposure to herbicides, which may trigger a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is remanded as the Board cannot determine if he was exposed while aboard military vessels within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam or in waters outlined by law. The case will be returned for further investigation and an examination to determine the relationship between his condition and exposure.