Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The reduction in the hypertension rating from 10% to 0% is denied, with the Board finding that the RO failed to consider the Veteran's history of diastolic pressure readings above 100 mm Hg requiring continued treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is required to provide a new examination and medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart condition and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of clarity regarding the timing and nature of VA examinations, as well as potential service connection based on pre-existing conditions or onset within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including obesity, right ankle and knee disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, hypertensive heart disease, and cerebral vascular accidents. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need further development.

The Board has dismissed the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate from January 1, 2016 as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for service-connected disabilities and SMC effective February 1, 2012. The claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) with bypass graft is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (CAD) as a result of exposure to herbicide agents, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart conditions, including as secondary to his service-connected mitral regurgitation, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 4, 2022, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter, for service-connected mitral regurgitation. The remand is necessary due to procedural defects and the need for additional development.

The appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) have been withdrawn, and the appeals are dismissed.,New evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for impotence, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral calf disabilities. The claims are reopened.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability other than sinusitis, rhinitis and asthma, manifesting in a chronic cough.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,Service connection is granted for headaches as secondary to sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases of coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with constipation for further development to address whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities or medications used to treat them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, lung condition, PTSD, and alcohol induced anxiety disorder with panic attacks due to Agent Orange exposure have been reopened. However, the new evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and heart disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation, and the medical opinions do not support a link to service.

The Board has found that remand is necessary for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and a heart condition. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, and atrial fibrillation as a result of exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in the offshore waters of Vietnam. The Board also found that hypertension is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and right leg and ankle condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to service-connected ischemic heart disease and diabetes, which are presumed related to his service. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of death under the PACT Act. However, the DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were denied as the Veteran was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at the time of death.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease, including coronary artery disease, was rated at 60 percent prior to July 7, 2012, and then from October 1, 2012 forward. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected heart disability. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity for such an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including right knee, left knee, bilateral hand and back disabilities. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain medical opinions.

The Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that VA treatment caused his death.,The Board also denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no direct or presumptive service connection based on the conditions listed as causes of death.