Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and TDIU based on a single service-connected disability was denied as the evidence did not support finding that any of his service-connected disabilities, alone or in combination, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including those related to presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the territorial sea of Vietnam, and thus he is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure during his service at Kwang Ju AB. The appellant contends that he had exposure on a contaminated C-123 aircraft and while working on EC-121 aircraft, but VA records do not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, need for additional examinations, and the need to obtain a VA opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus.,The Board is requesting that all relevant treatment records be obtained, including those from Dr. S.A., as well as any other private care providers who may have treated the Veteran since March 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, an eye disability, a heart disability, a left arm skin wound, and loss of teeth. The reasons given were that the Veteran refused to cooperate with scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the reduction of a 60% disability rating for coronary artery disease to a 30% rating was proper and denied restoration of the 60% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including confirmation of herbicide agent exposure and VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, tension headaches, cervical spine degenerative joint disease and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 26, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, residuals of stroke, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, left leg paralysis, left arm paralysis, and left eye disability due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify this exposure and then readjudicate the service connection claims.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected hypoxic disorder, mental health and cognitive disorder from May 23, 2016. He is also granted SMC from May 23, 2016.,The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU for the period from August 31, 2012 to May 23, 2016 on an extraschedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) to the Director of Compensation Service.,The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing he was unemployable solely based on his service-connected disabilities during the period from August 31, 2012 to May 23, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and chronic bronchitis. The Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his in-service exposures or treatment.,Service connection for coronary artery disease (heart attack) was also denied as the condition did not have its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to heart disability, as there are issues regarding the qualifications of the examiner who provided the August 2021 opinion. The Veteran is also not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's disability rating for a heart disorder was restored from 60% to 30%, effective August 8, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, thus restoring the original rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his depression, which he claims is related to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The issue of service connection for depression (claimed as mood disorder) has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the heart disability issue for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and review.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability (Chronic Adjustment Disorder).,The matter of whether the Veteran's Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (manifesting as memory loss) is secondary to his newly service-connected psychiatric disability will be submitted for review.,The Board has remanded several claims related to sleep apnea and its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected inguinal hernia and surgical scar.,Several skin disorder claims are being reviewed, including whether they are secondary to exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is also being reviewed for secondary service connection based on his service-connected inguinal hernia and/or exposure to herbicide agents.,Several other claims are being remanded, including those related to sleep apnea, memory loss, skin disorders, heart disorder, sinus disorder, left shoulder disorder, gout, knee disorder, leg disorder, visual disorder, prostate disorder, foot disorder, and thyroid disorder.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete verification of his military service records and outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous medical opinion and the need for updated records. The Veteran's valvular heart disease is being reviewed again, including whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure.