Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for right lung cancer and heart disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right eye disability, prostate condition, residuals of polyp removal, heart disability, hypertensive vascular disease, skin disability, migraines, and gastrointestinal disorder. The appeals are not about service connection but rather require further development due to exposure to lead or asbestos.

The Veteran's vagal syncope/fainting, now rated with coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease, is granted at a 30 percent rating effective June 6, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Korea. The cases of peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD or aggravated by it, and also due to insufficient opinions regarding whether herbicide exposure caused his heart disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), kidney failure, liver inflammation/infection, and high blood pressure are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning June 6, 2011, based on the combined effects of his service-connected coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for throat polyps is denied as there was no current disability related to the condition during the appeal period.,Service connection for COPD, to include as due to asbestos exposure, and bladder cancer are remanded. A new opinion is needed regarding whether these conditions were caused by service or other factors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition is also remanded. The examiner should address the Veteran’s in-service exposures and his history of smoking tobacco.,Service connection for throat polyps, COPD, bladder cancer, and a heart condition are denied.

The Veteran's heart disease and hypertension were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection for both conditions was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and ischemic heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to a lack of verification regarding his in-service exposures. The VA is instructed to attempt to verify these exposures and obtain an opinion from a clinician regarding their relationship to the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, finding that it was not related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for coronary artery disease and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for CAD, and that TDIU should be effective from April 15, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus with paresthesia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been reopened. The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service and remanded his claims for these conditions due to insufficient evidence of a connection between his current conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case will be reviewed again with a focus on establishing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was rated at 60 percent prior to October 10, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating due to lack of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his heart disability and prostate disability are related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, wrist and hip disorders were denied. The right elbow arthritis claim was granted. The fibromyalgia claim was denied. The depressive disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral club foot with arthritis and pes planus was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder is related to his service-connected PTSD or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the heart disorder.