Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and diabetes due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as for service connection for PTSD. The claims are being remanded because of the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure events in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, acinic cell adenocarcinoma, hypertension, and bladder disorder are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that is related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for bilateral eye disability as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including type two diabetes mellitus, PTSD and coronary artery disease. The remand requires a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral eye disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for MDS, a left leg above the knee amputation, and a right leg above the knee amputation due to the need for further medical opinions. The cause of death claim is also in remand status as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and his presumptive exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam War service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for ischemic heart disease and malaria have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has reopened the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since a final December 2007 rating decision. The remaining issues on appeal, including those related to back disability and other conditions, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and any relevant employment or medical records.

The Veteran's memory loss is not service connected, but a VA examiner found it likely related to age-related changes. The Board finds the opinion incomplete and requires a new examination to determine if his memory loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy; hypertension; and coronary artery disease (CAD), to include as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and skin disorder, as secondary to a heart disorder. The issues are being returned for further development due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for malaise and fatigue, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and GERD for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer and residuals, and skin cancer due to his exposure to firefighting chemicals during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's heart attack is being reviewed for potential compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but his PTSD claim was previously granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea, are granted. A 60 percent evaluation is assigned for his thoracolumbar back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction prior to October 3, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction from January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 was also denied.,The claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, to include atrial fibrillation and hypertension due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection was also denied for drop attacks (blackouts). The Veteran's enlarged lymph nodes were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, circulatory disorder, eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, upper and lower neuropathy, urinary incontinence, liver disorder, and hernia disorder have all been denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied prior to March 13, 2019. However, the Board granted a 100 percent disability rating effective from March 13, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient consideration of certain evidence. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining relevant medical records and considering all submitted statements.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for CAD was granted at a 60 percent rating from August 30, 2001 to September 8, 2010. From September 8, 2010 to March 16, 2011, the Veteran received a 10 percent evaluation. The Board found that from March 16, 2011 to August 4, 2015, the Veteran's CAD warranted a 60 percent rating based on his limited work capacity. Finally, the Board determined that starting from August 4, 2015, the Veteran's CAD met the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation due to his severe limitations in METs level.