Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he had earnings consistent with such employment prior to his retirement.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and residuals of prostate cancer as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to confirm his service in Vietnam and to obtain opinions regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service.,The Veteran's left leg scar, chest scar, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and erectile dysfunction are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service.,The Veteran's left leg scar, chest scar, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and erectile dysfunction are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to confirm his service in Vietnam and to obtain opinions regarding the relationship between his claimed conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service.,The Veteran's left leg scar, chest scar, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and erectile dysfunction are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease and a TDIU are remanded due to missing records, worsening of the condition, and need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, blood clots of bilateral lower extremities, dizziness (vertigo), and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to non-ionizing radiation as a ground radio operator during service. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

Service connection is granted for chronic left knee pain. Service connection is denied for right knee disability, to include osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis. However, his PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lower back condition, heart condition, stomach condition, hypertension, hand condition, and diabetes mellitus. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's Ischemic Heart Disease caused or contributed to his death. The VA is instructed to obtain private treatment records and provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, special home adaptation grant, individual unemployability, and aid and attendance/housebound benefits have been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal. The service connection claims are also dismissed due to the death of both the Veteran and his surviving spouse.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Thailand, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents during service aboard the USS Lynde McCormick within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.