Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, as these conditions are presumed related to herbicide exposure. The VA will attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to heart disease, COPD, and diabetes. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 100% rating effective March 21, 2017. Service connection for hypertension was granted due to exposure to tactical herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with bypass surgery is denied. The claims of service connection for kidney disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused or aggravated his obesity, and subsequently led to his fatal myocardial infarction and/or ischemic heart disease. The case is being returned for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a qualified cardiologist's examination, and the Veteran needs to be examined by one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have potentially increased in severity, and current examinations are needed to accurately assess the current level of severity. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to November 9, 2020 is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim for a determination on whether the Veteran's heart condition is related to his active duty service, including any verified exposures. The Veteran also needs an opinion regarding whether his heart condition is caused or aggravated by other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to incomplete information in the January 2022 VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not manifest during active duty or be related to service. The service-connected left hip and knee arthritis disabilities were found not to have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60% rating effective February 7, 2017. He also received TDIU prior to January 29, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of his heart disease. The Board requests a new VA examination and investigation into potential service-related exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart disability are reopened. The Board finds remand necessary to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Germany and to obtain an examination to assess his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and requesting a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's March 2002 death was related to his service, specifically elevated blood pressure during service.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on July 14, 2014, at CCC due to the lack of authorization by VA and the absence of a medical emergency.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as his heart does not exhibit chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 21, 1981 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Court reversed the Board's finding that the Veteran's October 1981 claim did not encompass a CAD claim.