Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether they are related to his service-connected diabetes and/or herbicide exposure. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claim for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure as it was not fully developed in accordance with previous directives. The Veteran's service records and financial information will be reviewed to determine if he served near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for coronary artery disease is granted, effective January 18, 2016. The condition was characterized by dyspnea and fatigue as well as chronic congestive heart failure throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of congestive heart disease with cardiomyopathy due to new and material evidence. The claims for left and right shoulder disorders are remanded as there is insufficient information on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, which was related to exposure to herbicide agents, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) and hypertension, both of which are presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is based on direct service connection due to the Veteran's MOS duties placing him near the perimeter of Thai military bases where he was likely exposed to herbicides.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 21, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's combined disability rating was at least 70 percent since July 21, 2004.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while aboard USS America, which may affect his claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to September 10, 2019, was denied. A 70% disability rating for PTSD from that date onwards is granted.,The Veteran's skin condition remains pending as the issue has been remanded.

Service connection is granted for Major Depressive Disorder, OSA, CAD, and Hypertension as secondary to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, sinusitis, and thyroid disease are not currently service connected.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, individual unemployability rating, and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and cause of death due to this condition, finding that it was not incurred as a result of active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder due to lack of evidence of current disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular accident, citing need for further development including verification of exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic respiratory failure due to trachea stenosis, with cardiomyopathy and Agent Orange exposure listed as significant contributing factors. Service connection for the cause of death is granted, while DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in applying the law regarding herbicide exposure and failure to ensure VA satisfied its duty to assist. The Veteran's service in or near the Korean DMZ needs to be verified, as well as his military payroll records for 'hostile fire pay'.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD, and ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to June 18, 2016 and a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD. The claim for TDIU was also withdrawn.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Korea and therefore presumed to have been exposed. As a result, the condition is considered related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the Veteran's verified service periods and new medical evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for left shoulder injury, cervical spine disability, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the causes of death (carcinoma of the lung and hypertensive cardiovascular disease) as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether it was ischemic heart disease or myocardial infarction.