Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's cause of death was end stage congestive heart failure, which is presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,His claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it has been remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's sinus bradycardia is granted as a service-connected condition. The claims for hypertension and hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability and is therefore denying DIC benefits. The cause of death, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, will be further investigated as it may have been related to in-service herbicide exposure or other conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death was related to herbicide agent exposure during service. Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea and denied for a heart condition. The compensable rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's effective date for adding his spouse, S.V., to his VA disability compensation award was granted as of May 31, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran required aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to October 30, 2018 is denied. The Board also remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's income and job duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to herbicide agent exposure. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures at Camp Casey in Korea and Fort Drum, and obtain an expert opinion regarding residual toxicity exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that his diagnosed aortic valve disease is a congenital defect and not subject to a superimposed disease or injury during service.,The Board also remanded the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for nosocomial infection causing heart and kidney damage due to valve replacement surgery, as additional development was needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including heart condition, hypothyroidism, and deep vein thrombosis. The issues are being remanded for further development due to lack of proper verification of herbicide exposure during service and need for a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been reopened and remanded due to conflicting medical evidence. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has ischemic heart disease or any other cardiac condition, and whether these conditions are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, which is granted as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed heart disorder and its relationship to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) due to audio problems during his hearing request and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease related to herbicide exposure is granted. The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol dependence are rated at 100% prior to March 16, 2019. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance is established for the period prior to March 16, 2019. Service connection for cerebrovascular accident residuals, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, basic eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adaptive housing, and entitlement to special home adaptation grant are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining a substantially-gainful occupation since November 1, 2019. The case is remanded for additional development prior to that date.

The Veteran's heart disability, including hypertensive heart disease, coronary artery disease with aneurysm and myocardial infarction, was found to be less severe than the assigned rating of 30 percent prior to August 17, 2021. The condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, right lung pulmonary fibrosis, restrictive lung diseases, skin cancer of the entire body, enlarged prostate with elevated PSAs, and heart condition. The reasons given were that there was no credible evidence showing herbicide exposure or a link between these conditions and active duty service.