Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that there is at least an equal balance of evidence supporting this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to a lack of evidence supporting his contention that he served in Vietnam or was exposed to herbicide agents, and because he did not meet the criteria for dependency and indemnity compensation as defined by law.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's service aboard ships within the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam is presumed, and he should be granted service connection for his cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient continuity of symptoms to establish a nexus with service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for heart disorder and high blood pressure have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation secondary to Hashimoto's disease with obesity as an intermediate step, and hypertension.

The Veteran's prostate condition, including BPH, is not related to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is related to his presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease and kidney disease, both secondary to PTSD. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate as they did not use the correct standard for determining aggravation.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as ischemic heart disease and pneumonia. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand, thus denying service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 18, 2015 and September 15, 2017 have been dismissed.,An effective date of September 15, 2017 has been assigned for the award of service connection for lung cancer.,A compensable disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD prior to September 22, 2017 has been granted.,Beginning September 22, 2017, a rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD has not been met.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a liver disorder is reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder) has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for stomach ulcers have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is related to his service. The issues of gastroesophageal reflux disease and ischemic heart disease have been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus with cataracts and retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, have rendered him unable to work since January 1, 2012. Effective November 21, 2012, the Veteran has been found in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea as secondary to his service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease, finding that there is no credible evidence linking OSA to IHD.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded. The Veteran also has claims for hypertension, heart disease, fatigue, hand disorders, knee disorders, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded as it may be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder or due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has claims for heart disease, fatigue, hand disorders, knee disorders, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is remanded as it may be secondary to his hypertension or due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has claims for fatigue, hand disorders, knee disorders, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue is remanded as it may be related to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disorder is remanded as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by muscle cramps in the left lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by muscle cramps in the right lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of the left lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of the right foot disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, and neurological disorders that are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and organic heart disease have been granted. The rating for organic heart disease has been increased to 100 percent effective from September 22, 2020.

Service connection for hypertension and heart condition has been granted.,The Veteran's left knee and right leg conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, remain pending issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, finding that it did not incur such condition during active duty or within one year after separation. The heart disability is also not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including evaluations and opinions regarding the Veteran's TBI, psychiatric disorders, ischemic heart disease, hearing loss, respiratory disorder, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and vertigo.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, including his in-service symptoms and post-service medical history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and that any existing heart condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to incomplete information in the previous medical opinion.