Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied because no new and relevant evidence was submitted with his supplemental claim, despite VA obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts in the left eye, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and plantar fasciitis have been granted.,Service connection is established based on exposure to herbicide agents during active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, and the condition has manifested to a compensable degree.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 21, 2020. As such, the Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, ischemic heart disease as a result of herbicide exposure, and PTSD evaluation. The Veteran's service connection claim for hepatitis C will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination. The ischemic heart disease claim will also be remanded with similar considerations. The PTSD evaluation claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding his METs level during the period on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, a heart disorder, a skin disorder (tinea infection), vertigo, and headaches as they are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased evaluations for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for HTN, a heart condition, and digestive tract ulcers due to new evidence. The COD claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure, and the appeal for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, CAD, and hypertension.,PTSD is being remanded as the issue of service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as ischemic heart disease, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure and other treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disability (to include depression), and heart disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right leg, left leg, and psychiatric disabilities. The issues of service connection for recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea) and thyroid disability have been remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and granted service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's period of service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The appeal to restore the 60 percent rating, effective July 1, 2016, was granted.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals before the Board, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for a heart condition, including as secondary to service-connected hypertension, is granted.