Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was initially denied in March 2019. The VA acknowledged exposure to herbicide agents at Takhli Air Base, where the Veteran served as a security policeman. In September 2019, the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) concluded that no documentation of Agent Orange use existed for Thailand bases. However, VA allowed some discretion in determining exposure based on duty activities and performance reports. The Board found the grant of service connection to be consistent with VA law at the time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 23, 2018 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's Ischemic Heart Disease is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. For the period prior to August 17, 2022, a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. An increased rating of 30 percent but no higher for bilateral hearing loss is granted effective from August 17, 2022.

The Veteran's heart disability rating was restored from 60% to 100%, effective July 1, 2022. The reduction was improper due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional evidence is needed, including private treatment records and VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted. However, his claim for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities secondary to type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

Service connection is granted for a heart disability, psychiatric disability, and kidney disability. Service connection for hypercholesterolemia is denied.,The Veteran's TBI claim is remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease and squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and throat, finding no evidence of these conditions prior to their respective diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at the Korat RTAFB in Thailand and has a diagnosis of coronary artery disease, which is presumed related to such exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a heart disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and depression render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment as an electrician, effective July 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 25, 2017, as the RO did not substantially comply with the mandates of the October 2021 remand order.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical records and the need to obtain additional treatment records related to the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities caused or aggravated his hypertension, heart disease, and/or congestive heart failure.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery diseases as secondary to herbicide exposure, based on the presumption of exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's active duty service at a Royal Thai Air Force Base is recognized as placing him within the area where herbicide exposure was presumed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure and noise exposure during his active service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a missed VA examination. The Veteran's chest/heart disability claim will be reviewed again after these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes due to incomplete development, including an official inquiry into exposure to herbicide agents in Fort Hamilton and Schweinfurt, Germany. A VA medical opinion is also needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to depression. The AOJ must obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for coronary artery disease has been denied, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for such a rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease has also been denied due to lack of applicable law.