Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2014. This decision is based on the presumption of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and his diagnosis of CAD on that date.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is presumed to be related to his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A), beginning March 9, 2015. The Veteran's need for A&A began on that date due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination and the need for a specialist's opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted on a direct basis. The Veteran's diabetic glaucoma is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied. The effective date of TDIU was granted from December 16, 2013, based on the service-connected disabilities. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also granted from December 16, 2013.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease and right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, but denied effective dates prior to the date of claim or the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is determined to be secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease/atherosclerosis, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a finding of pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and coronary artery disease. The examiner is required to obtain a history of the Veteran's job duties prior to his retirement in November 2014 and assess their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection has been granted for Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), and an acquired psychiatric disorder as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, with the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease as secondary to service-connected hypertension is also granted.,The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to new theories of entitlement not previously addressed.,The issue of service connection for a skin rash is remanded due to the possibility that it may be related to the Veteran's hypertension medication.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service near the DMZ in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain information on how far Camp Santa Barbara was from both the DMZ and the civilian control line, as well as whether members of his unit were sent to the DMZ for fire detail.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, occlusion and stenosis of the carotid artery, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and esophageal disability do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, left knee disability, and heart condition due to inadequate examinations and lack of evidence addressing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions, including failure to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and irritable colon syndrome due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.