Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, a higher initial disability rating for the service-connected coronary artery disease, and an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected scar. The AOJ is instructed to obtain information on the October 2021 VA examiner's qualifications and provide the Veteran with a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his active duty.

The Veteran's spouse was recognized as his dependent for VA purposes effective June 13, 2011. The Board found that an earlier effective date of June 13, 2011 is warranted due to the initial submission of a claim in June 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cardiovascular disability (claimed as heart disease) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's skin disability, eye disability, heart disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand and Vietnam is presumed, leading to the grant of service connection for his cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding military environmental exposures and their relation to the Veteran's cause of death. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether it is approximately as likely as not that the Veteran's cause of death was related to such exposures.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be sudden cardiac arrest, which the Board found was caused by hypertension. As hypertension is service-connected, the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other conditions. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from March 18, 2021.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease with revascularization and ischemic heart disease (heart disorder). The claims for right femoral nerve neuropathy, left femoral nerve neuropathy, right sciatic nerve neuropathy, and left sciatic nerve neuropathy are all remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) due to exposure to herbicides, finding that the Veteran's duties did not place him on or near the base perimeter where herbicide use occurred.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's heart disability, including on a secondary basis due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's current heart disability is not related to his active duty service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension disorder (claimed as hypertensive heart disease) due to potential verification of his claimed service in Vietnam and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical evidence and failure to provide VA examinations. The Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during active service is also under consideration.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's coronary artery disease for the period from December 1, 2016 to December 6, 2019 is denied a rating in excess of 60 percent. The Veteran is granted total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for CAD and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding medical opinions and additional VA treatment records. The effective date of service connection remains April 7, 2011.