Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment status and income. The VA must obtain any outstanding treatment records, including those from Poplar Bluff VA Medical Center or the Poplar Bluff VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty. The issue of peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease and diabetes were denied as there was no evidence of service connection.,For lung disorder and back disorder, the appeal is still pending due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep condition is denied as the evidence does not support a separate diagnosis of a sleep condition. The Board finds that his symptoms are related to his already service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart and peripheral edema conditions have been reopened but remain denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim can be adjudicated. The July 2013 VA examiner's opinion, which concluded that the cause of death was not related to service due to a lack of confirmation of asbestosis, is inadequate for evaluation purposes and must be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and B-cell lymphoma, finding that the Veteran was not exposed to Agent Orange during service and that his conditions are less likely related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to tactical herbicide agents, as well as asbestos exposure. The issues include heart disability, hypertension, prostate cancer, skin disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and insomnia), a heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease), type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hemorrhoids have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for hepatitis C and the other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge for the period from January 2005 to October 2008 should be remanded, as well as his claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sacroiliac weakness, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral leg shin splints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hammertoes, bilateral foot disorder, hypertensive heart disease, high blood pressure, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, maxilla oral surgery scarring, tooth loss and periodontal disease, skin cancer, facial scarring, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. The case was remanded to obtain private medical records and other relevant evidence, but no response was received from the Veteran or his spouse.

The Veteran was in receipt of a higher disability compensation rate, preventing the appellant from receiving NSC pension benefits for reimbursement of expenses related to her father's last sickness and burial.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as new and material evidence had been received. The heart condition and low back disability are remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, but the heart condition and low back disability remain unresolved.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and aortic stenosis/valvular heart disease (with heart valve replacement and implanted cardiac pacemaker) due to herbicide exposure or on a secondary basis to service-connected hypothyroidism. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his active service, including due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's stroke was granted service connection and is considered proximately due to his service-connected diabetes.,His diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20% rating, as he does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD, status post coronary artery bypass surgery, from February 7, 2013 to March 18, 2014 is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist. Specifically, the AOJ did not inform the Veteran that a VA Form 21-4142 was invalid and therefore unable to be processed. Additionally, new opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.,Service connection for prostate cancer is granted, with the cause potentially linked to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease due to lack of a definitive opinion on whether it is related to service or any other condition, including diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue on appeal, and thus another remand is required. Additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records from Riverside Medical Group for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease between August 30, 2006, and March 29, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service and is not related to any service-connected conditions.