Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased rating for the claimed conditions in March 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with prior instructions for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's heart condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the severance of service connection for hypertensive heart disease from July 1, 2018 is being remanded due to improper docketing and lack of an SOC.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a heart disability, and various joint and foot disorders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset in service or continuity of symptomatology.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and edema as secondary to DM II and/or CAD due to potential exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan. The Veteran's lay statements and a scientific report support his contention of exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for substantial compliance with prior Board instructions regarding the medical evidence showing a worsening of his coronary artery disease during the one-year period before December 29, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the failure to comply with prior remand directives regarding obtaining retrospective findings for the period before July 5, 2019.

The Veteran's heart disability and lung disorder are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of negligence or fault on VA's part, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for heart disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete military personnel and service treatment records. The appellant is also advised that any outstanding VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's death was caused by asystolic cardiac arrest due to cardiovascular disease, which is presumed service-connected based on his exposure to herbicides during active duty. The issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed because the grant of service connection for the cause of death renders it moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding non-tactical herbicides and other pesticides used at Aberdeen Proving Ground during the Veteran's service. The VA needs to determine if any such exposure occurred and obtain a medical opinion on whether it is likely related to the heart condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted at a 60 percent level, effective from May 10, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD and Sleep Apnea due to new evidence received. The remaining issues are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to comply with VA's duty to assist. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again for possible secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether they are related to his service in South West Asia. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The decision found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Korean DMZ during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension), and special monthly compensation based on loss of use are granted. The issues related to service connection for these conditions are resolved under the provisions of the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is granted. Service connection is also granted due to herbicide exposure, presumptively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The other issues are remanded and will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his low back disorder. The Veteran is not granted service connection for heart and wrist conditions.