Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss beginning January 3, 2019 is granted. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss from March 23, 2012 to August 30, 2013 is denied. Service connection for a heart disability including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and anemia are all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the cause of death, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, gall bladder cancer, and any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for osteoporosis was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to steroid use in service and after from his service-connected histoplasmosis.

The Veteran's cause of death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart disability and service or service-connected asbestosis with restrictive lung disease and pleural plaques. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's heart condition as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and the relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for abdominal aorta aneurysm, heart condition, and lung cancer. The Veteran's use of tobacco products was found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected back disability, which also led to the development of an acquired psychiatric disorder. Lung cancer is considered the principal cause of death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, post-CABG procedure, was rated at 30 percent from March 1, 2016. The Board granted a 60 percent rating effective March 1, 2016, based on the evidence showing that his condition warranted such a rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Court withdrew its decision. The daughter is not eligible for substitution as she is an adult child of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease was granted, and an initial 10 percent rating was assigned effective January 20, 2012. The appellant is now recognized as the substitute party to pursue this claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability) and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.,The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may be a factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for discontinuance of SMC based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected disabilities and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases of left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and a heart condition due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's headaches, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depressive disorder are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the left knee disability, right foot disability, right eye disability, sleep apnea, kidney disability, or skin disability began during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted, with the highest possible rating of 100 percent since May 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart condition, and obstructive sleep apnea due to potential errors in the previous medical opinions and the need for additional development of service personnel records.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic kidney disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and for obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.