Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, and requests that additional records be obtained.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 14, 2009 to March 29, 2010 is moot due to his combined 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's TDIU prior to October 14, 2009 remains on appeal and requires extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not related to his active-duty service or his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence does not show a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and he is granted a TDIU effective February 1, 2019. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating for the low back disability or a higher rating for any other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and compliance with previous directives.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis have been remanded by the Board. The issues include headache, joint and muscle pain, heart condition (claimed as an irregular heartbeat), hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has found that the VA did not comply with prior remand directives and requires additional information from the Veteran regarding his symptoms, which must be recorded in the medical opinions. The claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and heart disabilities are being remanded to obtain this information.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, skin disorder, and fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service events.

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma. The claims for hypertension, a heart condition other than SVT, and GERD are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran served in Vietnam or Laos, which could affect his claims for service connection. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease as there is no evidence that the Veteran filed a formal or informal application for these conditions prior to September 15, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and foot fungus condition are granted service connection. The Veteran's respiratory condition, heart condition, and skin condition are denied service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, finding that his condition did not manifest during active service and is less likely related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and valvular heart disease as of November 18, 2021. Prior to that date, the condition was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer are presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during service in Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) on an accrued benefits basis is denied. A 100 percent rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)/B-cell lymphoma is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) on an accrued benefits basis is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, on an accrued benefits basis is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, respiratory disability (COPD), vasovagal syncope, heart condition, and high blood pressure. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions began during or were related to his military service.,Service treatment records showed no findings of any current disabilities in question, and the Veteran consistently denied symptoms on medical history forms.

The Board denied service connection for valvular heart disease, finding that it is not related to herbicide exposure or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, pulmonary congestion, skin cancer, and cause of death due to service connection purposes. The issues are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of teeth, heart condition, conjunctivitis, and left arm skin wound/irritation due to his repeated refusal to cooperate with VA examinations.