Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty in Korea. The claim of diabetes mellitus is remanded as clarification on the current diagnosis is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart conditions and hypertension are related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The VA must provide addendum opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU prior to January 20, 2021 are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will provide additional development as requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and heart disability, including whether they are related to service or environmental exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, s/p MI with CAD have been rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2016. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 13, 2020 and granted a 60 percent rating from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied as he did not have a diagnosed disability prior to or at the time of his death.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension (HTN) and stroke, claimed as secondary to HTN, is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing whether these conditions are related to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD is also remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing whether this condition is related to HTN or other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100% from January 5, 2019 to December 16, 2021. He also received a special monthly compensation (SMC) for this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted, with a 100% evaluation. The claims of service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema as secondary to service-connected CAD are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to support his claims. However, the Board found no evidence of a current disability or a nexus between any claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to additional development being needed, including verification of herbicide exposure and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and evaluations to assess the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease, surgical scars, left ankle disability, and left knee disorder. The issues are related to the evaluation and service connection aspects of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, left ear hearing loss, diplopia, and pes planus were all denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for left ear hearing loss was granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address service connection claims, including PTSD, heart condition, and hypertension. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease resulted in left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent for the period from April 1, 2016, to August 3, 2020. For the period since August 3, 2020, his condition resulted in a workload of 1-3 METs that caused symptoms such as decreased energy, shortness of breath, and dizziness/lightheadedness warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability or heart disability due to service, and therefore denied both claims. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, but the matter is remanded for further adjudication by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and bladder cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. The claim for bladder cancer is remanded as further evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart, neurological, and skin conditions. The VA must provide addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board denied service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, hypertension, heart disability (Atrial Fibrillation and AICD), and low back disorder.,There is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.