Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service-connected Agent Orange exposure. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and a skin condition of the right hand, both presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure, are remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability (irregular heartbeat), and eye disability due to exposure to hazardous chemicals during service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an increased rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to October 13, 2020, on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to the need for additional Social Security Administration records and referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's service did not involve duty or visitation to the Republic of Vietnam and thus he was not exposed to herbicide agents. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and clarification of medical opinions regarding coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease has been denied. Additionally, his claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for a heart condition, but has also remanded the issue due to new and relevant evidence having been submitted. The appeal is now on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete research of the U.S. Navy records for a specific incident involving radiation exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and a heart valve problem, is not related to his service or any presumptive exposure. The VA examiner found no current evidence of these conditions and noted the need for additional testing such as an EKG. The Board also requested National Guard treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knees, skin condition, heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes due to potential service connection based on exposure to toxic chemicals at Fort McClellan. Further development is needed as VA failed to obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cholelithiasis and pancreatitis, as well as ischemic heart disease (IHD), were denied. The neck condition claim was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for coronary artery disease, status-post CABG, was granted. Additionally, the Veteran's claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection and rating for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, arterial venous malformation, atrial flutter, and hypothyroidism. The VA must obtain the August 2006 stress test and provide medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to his service, including his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperplasia of prostate, vascular graft infection, right upper extremity deep venous thrombosis of leg and chronic limb ischemia, left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial occlusive disease, left upper extremity deep venous thrombosis of leg and chronic limb ischemia, left upper extremity peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial occlusive disease, thrombocytopenia, and abdominal aortic aneurysm have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily the lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, IHD, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating (100 percent) due to convalescence for coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart condition), status post transfemoral aortic valve replacement, is denied because the evidence does not establish that at least one month of convalescence was required.

The Veteran's heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.