Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his service-connected back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus, the application to reopen the previously denied heart condition claim is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Okinawa, Japan. Therefore, service connection for IHD, diabetes, and hand tremors is denied as these conditions are not related to any aspect of his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to TDIU as it is not part of this appeal, which addressed service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are downstream from the original service connection appeals.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with coronary artery disease, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, were not incurred during service.,Service connection for valvular heart disease was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease as it was already granted by the RO effective July 25, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and prostate disease due to exposure to herbicides have been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or prostate cancer, thus denying presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disability caused or contributed to his death. The appellant and her daughter contend that the heart condition rendered the Veteran less capable of resisting the effects of his fatal lung disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of his claims.

The appeal for service connection and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease and a TDIU due to unemployability, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The VA must provide the Veteran with updated examination results and information about the November 2019 examiner's qualifications. Additionally, the VA must obtain SSA records and refer the TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is granted a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective from the date of this decision. The increased rating for coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertensive heart disease with ventricular hypertrophy, but denied service connection for varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Da Nang, Vietnam. The VA will need to verify this information and then obtain a medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the exposure could have resulted in the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's death is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and eczema due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange at a Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and a respiratory condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service.,The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to chemicals at Fort Ord and Gordon, but the Board found no credible evidence linking his current conditions to this exposure.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for high cholesterol. Service connection for tuberculosis, PTSD, left ear hearing loss, heart disability, hypertension, and back disability is denied. These issues are remanded.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection is denied for ischemic heart disease (IHD). The Board finds the Veteran's back, neck, and TBI/CNS disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus), and bilateral eye disorder (to include secondary to type II diabetes mellitus). The remaining issues are remanded for further development.