Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability, including ischemic heart disease, is related to service and specifically exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for heart disorder and secondary service connection for hypertension due to a lack of evidence establishing their onset during qualifying periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's myocardial infarction occurred during an IDT period, while her hypertension status remains unclear.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his heart disorder and right eye ischemic optic neuropathy, including as secondary to a service-connected disability. The claims are being remanded because of inadequate VA examination reports and need further clarification regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides and contaminated water during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's valvular heart condition is related to his service-connected diabetes, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as probable congestive heart failure, heart disease and diabetes. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service, thus denying service connection for cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, and renal insufficiency due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his heart disability and recurrent tonsillitis are related to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran contends that his GERD caused or aggravated his heart issues, and he had a history of tonsillitis noted upon entry into service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pending substitution claims and will not make a final determination on the cause of death claim until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's effective date for a 60% rating for hypertensive heart disease is set at July 8, 1992. The case also grants TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities since that date.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no current diagnosis and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The heart disorder issue, including mitral valve prolapse, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical disability, heart disability, and skin disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities, ischemic heart disease with atrial fibrillation, tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, chronic prostatitis, back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been granted. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for these conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,A new VA examination and etiology opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran has tinnitus and its relationship to service, including herbicide exposure in Subic Bay and exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The AOJ is required to obtain an etiology opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to his time in service, specifically contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The VA denied the Veteran's appeal because his Form 9, which he filed in response to a January 2016 rating decision, was not timely or properly accepted. The Board found that the Veteran did not file his substantive appeal within the required time frame and therefore the claims were considered final.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current heart condition is related to his military environmental exposures. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, right ear hearing loss, and ischemic heart disease have been granted. The claim for hypertension is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between her claimed conditions and active service, particularly vaccinations in basic training.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential conflicts in medical opinions and need for additional development.