Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not require regulation of activities to control his diabetes and thus could not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under DC 7913. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted as he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and kidney disorder due to service connection issues.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and kidney disorder due to service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, respiratory condition, skin condition, CAD, and diverticulosis due to inadequate examination findings. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are related to service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease (CAD) is granted, effective July 16, 2013. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher disability rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of hypertension, left leg/calf disability, left ear hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), and a neck disability.,The Veteran's current left shoulder disability was not shown to be due to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's attorney requested additional information about the qualifications of certain examiners and needs clarification on whether the Veteran's obesity caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to PTSD, MDD, sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, recurrent headaches, hypertension, DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or incurred in service, including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, bronchitis, PTSD, hypertension, and hypertensive heart disease due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and military service. The claims are also remanded for additional medical opinions regarding potential links to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart condition was not caused by or incurred in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to May 9, 2014 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 9, 2014 was also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted from April 20, 2015 to July 6, 2015 due to his service-connected heart disability. SMC at the housebound rate prior to June 26, 2018 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and hairy cell leukemia are remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining treatment records from the VAMC in Pembroke, North Carolina, and all outstanding records from before 2000. The Board also requests an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart conditions and hairy cell leukemia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, testicular cancer, and a sleep disorder due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's representative requested additional information on the qualifications of the examiner who conducted the most recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple myeloma, ischemic heart disease, and tinnitus have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.,The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Ramasun Station in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service aboard the USS Porterfield.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding service connection for residuals of a stroke. The Veteran contends his stroke is related to herbicide exposure or secondary to his CAD, but the VA examiner found no direct link and opined that risk factors like obesity, diet, genetics, etc., are more likely causes.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a heart condition, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death.