Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease are granted service connection, with the presumption of herbicide exposure as the basis for both conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma, a heart disorder (claimed as heart attack with stents and congestive heart failure), hypertension, neuropathy, and a tumor in the knee. The evidence does not establish that these conditions began during or within one year of active service, are related to an in-service injury or disease, or are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and ischemic heart disease, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination. The examiner is instructed to assess whether ischemic heart disease had its onset in service, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an examination of the Veteran regarding his claimed disability, which includes musculoskeletal chest pain and heart issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pre-existing heart condition, finding that it was aggravated by her active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and service connection for hypertension. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's renal cancer, heart disease (presumed ischemic), and hypertension are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and another remand is required for further development, including verification of exposure to environmental toxins and addendum opinions regarding the etiology of diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings and benefits related to knee disabilities, TDIU, and special monthly compensation. The issues of service connection for somatic symptom disorder and heart disorder have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial evaluation for coronary artery disease, finding that the appropriate dates are February 20, 2020, and 30 percent, respectively.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including heart condition, anxiety disorder, depression, and loss of eyesight. The issues are being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, as well as the potential role of obesity in causing or aggravating OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and because there are outstanding private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with a previous remand directive to verify the Veteran's asserted service in Vietnam. As a result, the case is being returned for further development.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, which is presumed based on herbicide agent exposure. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was rendered moot by the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are granted. However, the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to insufficient evidence, and the Board is instructed to obtain missing VA treatment records and private medical records from 'Centro Cardiovascular' before making a decision.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis, sickle cell anemia, bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, flat feet, acquired psychiatric disability, insomnia, heart disability, hepatitis C, and kidney disability is granted with effective dates ranging from November 25, 2013 to the date of grant. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.