Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to reschedule a VA examination for his service-connected coronary artery disease, which occurred prior to the issuance of the RO's decision on this matter. The Veteran should be re-scheduled for an examination to evaluate the severity of his CAD disability from February 1, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure, has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions prior to August 27, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart condition and chest pain, including a lack of STRs. The Veteran is requested to provide an examination to determine if his current heart disorder may be related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The remand requires obtaining additional VA treatment records, including those from the VistA system, and providing an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; and a heart disorder due to in-service exposure to hazardous chemicals. A new VA opinion is needed to address these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability pertaining to atherosclerosis of the aorta and denied service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was remanded due to concerns about exposure to chemicals or pesticides during service.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease and remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, and entitlement to service connection for a nerve disability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease status post stent placement was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating due to his service-connected condition being secondary to non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with atrial fibrillation and implanted cardioverter defibrillator.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to verify the exact dates of the Veteran's service onboard the U.S.S. Midway and whether the ship was stationed within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam while the Veteran was on board.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and residuals of prostate cancer as due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and development needs, including for service connection claims. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was granted. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was denied. The appeal for service connection of a heart condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and a heart disability due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions, lack of consideration of certain evidence, and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the left lower extremity, residuals of coronary artery bypass graft surgery is granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 5, 2019 is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need to verify if he served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's heart disability resulted in dyspnea and fatigue during a workload of greater than 3 METs but less than 5 METs, warranting a 60 percent disability rating for the period from July 23, 2019 to July 2, 2021. The case is remanded for additional development.