Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for seizure disorder, asthma, heart condition, and hypertension as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in or were related to service.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking any of the Veteran's current conditions (seizure disorder, asthma, heart condition, and hypertension) to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for impaired fasting glucose, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, vitreous degeneration, right knee disability, left foot and right foot plantar fasciitis, IBS, diverticulosis, cholelithiasis, inguinal hernia, prostate enlargement, hypertrophy of the prostate, kidney cyst, microscopic hematuria, thick walled bladder, esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and stricture and stenosis of esophagus have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence showing a current disability or a relationship to service.

Service connection for lung cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for heart disorder, ischemic heart disease and endocarditis is denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, respiratory disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricably intertwined issues and for additional medical opinions regarding ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his coronary artery disease and TDIU prior to April 8, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent or for a TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. Increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to April 12, 2022 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically near the DMZ in Korea. The cases will be re-adjudicated after further investigation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for prostate carcinoma, peripheral neuropathy, and a heart disorder including ischemic heart disease has been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the modernized appeals system.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left middle finger disability is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and heart disability (CAD) are all denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection or exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as well, with no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the hands and feet are all denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection or exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for cubital (or carpal) tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and a lack of an examination for his heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to a lack of medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The appeal for SMC for aid and attendance or housebound benefits for the Veteran's spouse is denied. The issues of waiver of military retirement pay, DIC based on service connection for the cause of death, earlier effective date for TDIU, and earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are remanded.

The Veteran's rating for coronary artery disease was reduced from 30% to 10%, but the Board has reinstated the original 30% rating. The Veteran's PTSD received increased ratings in different periods.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals. The appeals for service connection and higher ratings for skin disease, heart disease, lung disease, GERD, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The lung, heart, and psychiatric disorder claims are all being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between his claimed heart condition and his service-connected disabilities, particularly medications prescribed for those conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from August 18, 2017, through September 18, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service, and there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms. The current conditions are also not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cause of death, including whether it was caused by herbicide exposure or combat injuries.