Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 28, 2003 for the addition of spouse C. as a dependent to the Veteran's award and for service connection for heart disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's heart disability may be related to his service-connected lung condition, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction residuals, cardiomyopathy, and coronary angioplasty with stent placement is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, specifically addressing whether the November 2001 claim was for compensation or pension, and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's heart disability and its relation to herbicide exposure. The Veteran must provide additional medical records and a medical opinion is needed to determine if his heart condition qualifies as ischemic heart disease, which would allow for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ACM and its secondary effects on other conditions. The Veteran's attorney requested a hearing but did not appear. Further medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service. The Board finds that the current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely caused by in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's degenerative changes of the right shoulder had onset in service and has been continuously present since then.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, atherosclerotic heart disease, bilateral loss of vision, a bilateral leg disability, neuropathy of the back, right shoulder disability, abdominal aneurysm, and kidney disease. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder, which was linked to herbicide exposure, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to his service in Southwest Asia, including whether it may be part of a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and heart disability due to additional development being required.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected coronary artery disease from 60% to 30% was not proper, and the 60% rating is restored effective December 1, 2019. A rating in excess of 60% for service-connected coronary artery disease is denied.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the rating for coronary artery disease, the rating for a psychiatric disability, and the TDIU claim. Additional evidence is needed as some physical therapy records have been scanned into VA's system but are not in the current record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is granted due to the evidence showing he was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during his service aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). His condition is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded cases related to service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and retinopathy. The primary issue is whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his naval service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, heart disease, and hypertension. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are directly related to active military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written statement received in February 2020.