Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as heart disease, were denied due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a cerebral thrombosis and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of May 24, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected conditions cause or aggravate his weight gain and obesity.

The Veteran's diabetes and heart disability are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents. The right hand, left hand, and residuals of pneumonia claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided in the August 2018 decision regarding accrued benefits. The appellant is seeking additional accrued benefits for her care of the Veteran, and the VA needs to determine if SMC should be awarded at a rate above L-1, calculate the total amount of accrued benefits payable, determine the full expense she bore during the period from October 28, 2002 to March [redacted], 2007, explain the basis for the November 2013 grant of $29,656.00 in accrued benefits, and decide if additional accrued benefits are payable.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected conditions or any exposure to radiation. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to his death.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 100% rating as of July 17, 2017, and denied for an initial rating in excess of 30% prior to that date. The issues of service connection for low back, cervical spine, and hypertension disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and tinnitus are being remanded to the RO for further consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, asthma, COPD, heart disability, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also not granted for increased rating for vertigo and total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to November 2, 2020 is granted at a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, concluding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing service treatment records, particularly those from the Veteran's second period of service in January 1991. The heart disorder and tachycardia claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions and incomplete examinations. The Veteran's heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, is being reviewed again as it may be related to herbicide exposure during service. The rating for his lumbosacral strain with arthritis needs clarification regarding the severity of pain and flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease prior to specific dates was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death, which may involve his service-connected conditions. The Appellant believes he died from a heart attack due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by end-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C and alcohol use. Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking his hepatitis C or other service-connected conditions to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a heart disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to potential relevance of SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining additional private treatment records and for VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye cataract, heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease (including decreased circulation and left leg splint and shunt in left groin), right hand disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy), and left hand disability (including neuropathy) due to the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The presumptive exposure basis is based on service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, which applies to Persian Gulf veterans.