Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for aortic aneurysm and heart condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The appeal seeking restoration of a 100% rating for prostate cancer is denied. The claim of an increased rating for heart disability is remanded.

The appeal seeking service connection for prostate cancer is dismissed.,The appeals to readjudicate claims of service connection for heart disability, hypertension and hypotension, skin condition, and ED (on de novo review) are granted. The claim of service connection for varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy have been granted. These conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent evaluation based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC, and his increased rating claims for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed. His claim for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease as of June 1, 2009, but no earlier, has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and stroke residuals, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as multi-system organ failure due to cardiac arrest. The appellant claims that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, caused his cardiac arrest and death. However, the Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether CAD was the cause of death.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for a heart condition and an increased rating for malignant melanoma. The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, under DC 7804 for one painful left upper extremity scar from April 13, 2021, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to respiratory and heart disorders, as well as atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia with pacemaker. The appeals are being returned to VA for further clarification of medical opinions regarding potential causes.

The appeal of hearing loss and tinnitus service connection claims are dismissed. The heart disorder, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.,Service connection is also granted for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicides in service.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded as it is dependent on the rating decisions for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service on the USS Midway. The Veteran's testimony suggests he was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam while aboard the ship.

The Veteran's kidney disease claim has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim.,Service connection for COPD, heart disease, ED, tinea pedis (toe fungus), right leg disability, and left leg disability have all been denied due to lack of in-service exposure or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience starting from January 15, 2013.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion on whether the Veteran required aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically coronary artery disease with atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure in Thailand, and a formal finding will be issued outlining the steps taken to assist the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus II.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them as a result.