Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, and survivor's pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and requests additional evidence or medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat stroke, including a heart disorder and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, as well as related secondary service connection claims. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected heart disability. The decision is being remanded because the June 2015 VA Heart Conditions Examination did not provide sufficient information about how the Veteran's heart disability affects his workability, and another request for employment information needs to be made.

The Veteran's cause of death was esophageal cancer. The Board has ordered remand for addendum opinions to address the relationship between herbicide exposure and esophageal cancer, as well as the role of diabetes and hypertension in his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, increased ratings for a kidney disability, residuals of a CVA, bilateral hearing loss disability, and diabetes have been dismissed. A rating in excess of 60 percent for CAD has been granted from December 4, 2019 to April 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits. A VA medical opinion is needed to determine if service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and malaria residuals, are found to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claim for heart disability due to insufficient evidence in previous VA opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disabilities, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, attributing them to his family genetics, lifestyle, smoking history, and lipid disorder. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and examination regarding his service connection claims, including verification of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on various conditions were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was granted with an effective date of August 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for CAD, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal regarding additional dependency compensation for his spouse is dismissed as he has been in receipt of this benefit since June 1975.