Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic heart condition due to new evidence submitted. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board has determined that service connection cannot be granted for hypercholesterolemia as it is not a disability. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, hypertension, and peripheral arterial disease are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete VA examination and opinion, specifically addressing the nature and cause of the Veteran's claimed heart disabilities, including post-operative atrial septal defect.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 1995 for the Veteran's entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). Effective this date, the Veteran is eligible for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from January 31, 2020 to June 28, 2021 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to that date and after June 28, 2021, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%.

The Board has remanded the claims for cardiovascular disorder and bilateral elbow pain due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of contemporaneous records. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of evidence related to his arteriosclerotic heart disease prior to December 10, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for LEFT shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with AC joint osteoarthritis, LEFT ring finger limitation of motion, and a LEFT wrist scar have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating greater than 0 percent for a RIGHT chest scar (status post cyst removal), secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder have been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD with associated anxiety has been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for deviated nasal septum from a broken nose has been denied due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,The Veteran's appeals for secondary service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition was dismissed. Service connection for his low back disability is granted, and the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his low back disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for an ear condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart condition, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) due to potential herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The RO must verify the Veteran's service on ships within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, and hypertension due to incomplete development of evidence and potential exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the heart disability claim before a decision was made.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted. The Board finds the Veteran's hypertension may be related to service, including herbicide exposure, but an opinion on aggravation by diabetes is needed.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, status post bypass graft due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to active duty or training.

The Board has granted service connection for larynx cancer and coronary artery disease, both of which are associated with herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and Parkinsonism with urinary problems, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 22, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU for this period but has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to May 22, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (claimed as secondary to hypertension) due to the lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of treatment.