Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's parkinsonism is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a sleep disability and hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected coronary artery disease was also denied as he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU but had other conditions that prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and bypass surgery has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the case as he is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to support the reopening of his claim. However, the Veteran’s status post appendectomy scar is not considered disabling enough to warrant a compensable evaluation. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver conditions (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), neuropathy, heart condition, and TDIU are all remanded due to incomplete or missing information.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not adequately comply with prior Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals/gas, environmental toxins, and herbicides while stationed in South Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its decision regarding whether the Veteran's pancreatitis is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. An addendum opinion is needed from a clinician to address this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and noting a lack of evidence linking any current heart problem to his time in service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,A 60 percent initial disability rating for dermatitis is granted, effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right leg deep vein thrombosis, cyst on back, vertigo, heart disability (mild aortic calcification), and cranial hemorrhage is denied. The claims for these conditions are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Takhli RTAFB. The peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is also found to be related to the service-connected diabetes.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and other benefits due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability. The examiner was directed to provide a current diagnosis for any condition which may have manifested in a heart disability, even if currently resolved.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer due to a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, bilateral knee disorder, and right foot disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing records from March 1980 and to provide an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and origin of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from May 21, 2004.