Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that his heart disorder preexisted service. The Board also found no aggravation of this condition during service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 60 percent from May 16, 2013. This rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset or etiology of these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 1, 2017.,Since December 1, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have also rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, visual complications of diabetes, aortic stenosis (claimed as heart disability), dermatitis psoriasis (claimed as bilateral foot disability), and TDIU due to procedural issues. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

Total disability due to individual unemployability has been granted.,An increased evaluation for rheumatic valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease has been granted.,Service connection for heart disease, including coronary artery disease, has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of total disability rating for at least ten years prior to death, and because the Veteran did not meet any other criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1318. The lung cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease claims are also remanded as they involve asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis due to incomplete opinions regarding herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's death was not considered to meet the criteria for enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1311(a)(2) because he did not have a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least eight years prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 1, 2010 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that the Veteran had sufficient education and training to perform his job as a pastor, which is considered substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's heart disease, including coronary artery atherosclerosis and angina pectoris, is currently rated at 30 percent. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's METs level was between 5 and 7, consistent with activities such as walking one flight of stairs or mowing the lawn (push mower). This does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, as a result of in-service exposure to herbicide agents (burn pit), is granted due to the evidence being at least in equipoise that he has this condition and it falls under the presumptive diseases list.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current disabilities of arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are at least as likely as not related to exposure to chemical agents while on active duty at Fort McClellan.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from an endocrinologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension, service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and requires further examination and opinions from a cardiologist and/or neurologist.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Services.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). The decision also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service connection claim and increased rating claims. His heart disability remains rated at 30 percent, atrial fibrillation at 10 percent from October 19, 2015, and residuals of lung injury at 20 percent.