Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and SMC based on Aid and Attendance and/or Housebound status was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 13, 2012, and that he did not need regular aid and assistance or be housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus are granted. Other claims for secondary service connection, including those related to the skin condition, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to insufficient evidence from the last VA examination over 5 years ago. A new examination is needed to evaluate the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including verification of his exposure to herbicide agents while serving on aircraft carriers near Vietnam and scheduling a VA examination.

An initial rating of 100 percent for a major depressive disorder is granted.,The issue of an effective date earlier than April 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection for a major depressive disorder is dismissed. The application to reopen a claim of service connection for a heart disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including potential service connection for his cause of death as a surviving spouse.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability and chest disability due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA etiology evaluations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset are considered, but the October 1973 service treatment record noting chest pain is also taken into account.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cardiovascular conditions are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicide agents or other toxic chemicals. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audit and lack of communication with the appellant regarding benefits over the years. The appeal will be readjudicated based on a comprehensive paid and due audit.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure while stationed at Nam Phong RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues is remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The conditions are presumed due to this exposure.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for an addendum opinion addressing negligence, misdiagnosis, and timing of Coumadin/Warfarin prescription.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether there was a worsening of the Veteran's coronary artery disease in the year prior to December 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran served within the offshore waters of Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The earlier effective date for a 30% rating for hearing loss is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for severe skin diseases has been reopened, but the issue of an earlier effective date remains unresolved.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II.,The earlier effective date for the hearing loss rating remains unresolved.,The previously denied claim for severe skin diseases has been reopened, but an earlier effective date issue remains unresolved.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 100 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease from October 26, 2016 to July 21, 2020 and a rating of 60 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for higher ratings at any point.

The Board has found that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine surgical scar and his claimed heart disability. The appeal is remanded to allow for these examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease prior to November 4, 2019, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter was denied. The evidence did not show the required symptoms or criteria for ratings above those assigned.