Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has found the January 2017 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded several issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service or due to exposure to herbicide agents, and thus service connection was denied for all conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, type I; a heart condition; prostate cancer; and Alzheimer's disease due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran is required to provide more information about his claimed exposure, and he will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hidradenitis suppurative and related secondary service connection claims due to in-service vaccinations, lack of contemporaneous records, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically his claimed asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability caused irreparable damage to his outer garments due to the use of scar ointment. The Board granted clothing allowances for outer garments for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, stomach pains, acid reflux due to asthma, esophagus damage (difficulty swallowing), hypertension, and heart condition have been denied as secondary to service-connected asthma. The RO found no evidence of these conditions during or after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach pain has been denied because there was no diagnosed condition related to the claimed symptoms.

The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease is dismissed because the claim has already been fully granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The Veteran submitted a new private psychiatric evaluation in July 2021 that diagnosed him with PTSD.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while serving within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam is sufficient to establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, hypertension, and eye disability have been granted. The claim for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right extremity and an eye disability.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for hepatitis B remains at a noncompensable rating due to lack of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disorder, which may be related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and renal insufficiency with edema, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU effective October 20, 2014. However, the issues of increased ratings for CAD and an earlier effective date are remanded as they may significantly impact the decision on TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA examination to assess his current severity of coronary artery disease, status post stent placement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's METs level and whether a TDIU is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disorder, GERD, and IHD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes was granted. The issues of service connection for a heart disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer are remanded.