Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TDIU claim should be remanded due to a failure to obtain authorized private treatment records. The case will need to be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted, with a grant of an initial rating of 30 percent.,Service connection was also established for ischemic heart disease (IHD), but the Veteran's request for a higher initial rating of greater than 30 percent was denied. The Veteran is now receiving a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's heart disability resulted in dyspnea and fatigue, warranting a 100 percent rating. The issues of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was not secondary to a service-connected disability, was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had chloracne at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral tinea pedis at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that a right cheek laceration scar began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The cerebrovascular accident is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is not secondary to a service-connected disability and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for a cardiac disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by PTSD or related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a heart disorder have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration by the Director of VA's Compensation Service.

The Board has determined that the remand was not fully complied with and thus requires another remand to obtain addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's knee disability, its impact on his death-related conditions, and the relationship between his military service and his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and atrial fibrillation as secondary to hypertension are granted. However, his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for verification of herbicide agent exposure and further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. After resolving all doubt in his favor, the Board finds that he has a current disability related to his service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding his in-service exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents.,Specifically, the Board requested an addendum VA opinion or examination to address whether the Veteran's BPH, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, eye disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder are related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA's previous decisions on the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU prior to December 20, 2021 are not in compliance with the remand directives. As such, these issues have been returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a heart disorder, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), to include as secondary to herbicide exposure due to inadequate medical opinions based on an inaccurate factual premise regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a denial of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and residuals of stroke as secondary to duodenal ulcer due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease from September 6, 2011 to October 3, 2011 has been found to have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam or Thailand during his active duty.