Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure. The claim for hypertension secondary to these conditions is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of cardiovascular disorder, including coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and aortic stenosis. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to service-connected COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service, specifically in Okinawa between August 1965 and July 1966, and on Guam or American Samoa during his assignments with the Fleet Marine Force.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) and service connection for kidney cancer, to include loss of left kidney. The issues are being addressed due to uncertainties regarding the onset of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and the nature and etiology of the Veteran's kidney cancer.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of heart, kidney, and liver disabilities due to in-service chlorine gas exposure.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for chronic kidney disease is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration and VA treatment records, as well as addressing whether a February 2019 hearing was conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, back disability, neck disability, sciatic nerve conditions in buttocks (left and right lower extremities), lower leg disabilities (left and right lower extremities), upper extremity disabilities (left and right upper extremities), and hemorrhoids due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not comply with prior remand directives and has ordered additional development for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present heart disability and bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted a 60 percent rating from May 13, 2014 to August 31, 2016. A higher rating is denied for the period before and after this date.

The rating reduction of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and therefore, the 30 percent rating is restored.,From March 6, 2018, the criteria for an initial rating of 100 percent for aortic aneurysm associated with high cholesterol have been met.,From March 6, 2018, the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran is entitled to an effective date prior to September 14, 2021 for a 100 percent rating for his heart disability due to service connection being granted within one year of the initial grant of service connection.,An earlier effective date of March 6, 2018 for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has found the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) review inadequate to support the decision made, as it did not address significant medical evidence concerning whether the Veteran may require daily assistance to complete an ADL or a need for supervision, protection, or instruction. The matter is remanded for further review.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 29, 2019, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter for coronary artery disease has been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cataracts, heart disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding proximity to Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and multiple myeloma, both presumed to be related to exposure to tactical herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to his service.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions: ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions did not substantially comply with the February 2021 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address specific issues raised by the Veteran.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to July 1, 1992 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) because there is no evidence showing that CAD or ischemic heart disease was present before this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of heat injuries, left shoulder disability, heart disability, and migraines due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection.