Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and residual scars, which were under a legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected, effective August 10, 2022, due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. This decision is based on the PACT Act of 2022.

The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker placement is not service-connected.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been granted, with the condition being linked to a pre-existing diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and a thoracic muscle disability, both claimed as undiagnosed illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. The Veteran was not found to have current diagnoses of these conditions.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran has any current heart or muscle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disability is rated at 70 percent, effective July 1, 2014. The rating for the heart disorder (hypertensive vascular disease) was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to environmental toxins during service, and to obtain a medical opinion on whether his ischemic heart disease and diabetes are related to such exposures.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,There was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The most probative medical opinions found that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his service.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Guam. The appeal for accrued benefits is denied as there is no evidence of unpaid VA benefits at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and thus he has been granted service connection for this condition.,Similarly, his service-connected hypertension is found to be caused by his obstructive sleep apnea, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition as well.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the grant of full benefits in prior decisions. The heart condition, back condition, and hemorrhoids are rated as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a chronic fatigue disorder and concluded that the Veteran did not have one at any time during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II. The PACT Act grants presumptive service connection for these conditions due to exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam Era.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer due to a lack of verification regarding exposure at Fort Drum, New York. The Veteran's assertions include exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected atrial fibrillation. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 9, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his heart disability, and further review of all associated VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating determinations as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which contributed to his death, was due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals, specifically diesel fuel. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.