Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left and right lower extremity neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance.,VA has not provided a VA examination or medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions result in loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding severance of service connection for hypertensive heart disease and pacemaker implant, as well as reduction of coronary artery disease rating from 100% to 30%. The appeals were premature because the AOJ had not yet issued a decision.

The Veteran's cause of death is not service-connected.,Coronary artery disease, a presumptively service-connected condition due to herbicide agent exposure, has been granted for accrued benefits purposes.,Cerebral infarction (stroke) with occipital thalamic and brain stem involvement, proximately due to coronary artery disease, is also granted for accrued benefits purposes.,Genitourinary dysfunction, including urinary and fecal incontinence, which was proximately due to the Veteran's stroke, has been granted for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's service at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB exposed him to herbicides, which is presumed related to his diagnosis of CAD. Service connection for CAD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and right ear hearing loss, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service injury that would support these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, residuals of a kidney transplant, coronary artery disease, bilateral retinopathy, and bilateral below the knee amputation due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's shin splints and CAD are remanded for further development, including new examinations. The right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder (to include pes planus), right ear hearing loss, back disorder (to include IVDS), heart disorder, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, additional examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's current foot disorders were aggravated by service or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for a new one with an examiner who has not previously offered an opinion in this matter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding a potential link between the Veteran's in-service malaria episodes and his cause of death. The Appellant must provide private treatment records, and an expert opinion is needed on whether these conditions are related.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, right eye disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct new VA examinations due to the Veteran's assertions of exposure to Project SHAD during service. The claims for COPD, CAD, supraventricular arrhythmia, and hypertension are being returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart and kidney disease on a secondary basis due to PTSD. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion addressing whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's self-medicating with alcohol.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition, hypertension, and a heart condition due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus (type II), and erectile dysfunction due to the latter being secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether any current cardiovascular disability is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and fibromyalgia due to incomplete VA treatment records from 2003 to 2005. The Veteran's claim is back before the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer residuals and coronary artery disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 1, 2011 to March 20, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to new and material evidence having been submitted, and the Board finds that he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service. The Veteran now has a valid claim for service connection.