Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service ear condition and exposure to herbicides. The TDIU and cause of death issues are also remanded.

The Board's decision to dismiss the appeal regarding the reduction of the rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease from 100 percent to 60 percent effective January 1, 2010 is vacated and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his heart condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded. The TDIU issue, since February 1, 2020, is also remanded due to the possibility of changes in his condition and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, scar, medial right lower extremity, and scar, sternum with effective dates of December 24, 2013. However, the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned due to lack of evidence supporting such a claim. For his rating for ischemic heart disease, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a heart disability was originally filed on July 26, 2012. The Board has granted an effective date of July 26, 2012, for the grant of a 100% rating for his service-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his OSA, were granted service connection. The cardiovascular and respiratory conditions are remanded for further examination.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The appeal regarding coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from providers who treated the Veteran prior to his VA care and his terminal treatment records. The appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IHD, prostate cancer, and ED are granted due to herbicide exposure during his time in Korea. The Board has ordered the Department of Army to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is remanded due to inconsistencies in the METs test results and need for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the lack of VA examinations for the claims regarding heart disability and hypertension, which may be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease were caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his now service-connected acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left eye disability due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further development.,The Veteran's heart disease is also being remanded as there are issues with the adequacy of the February 2020 VA medical opinion regarding causation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The reduction of the disability evaluation from total (100 percent) to 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery bypass, status post-acute myocardial infarction was proper due to actual improvement in the Veteran's heart condition.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic heart disease and multiple myeloma, is presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure during his active duty service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and lumbar spine condition must be remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that there have been substantial compliance issues with the previous remand directives and requires further development for the claims of service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.