Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him disabled to the extent that he required the regular aid and assistance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lung disability, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied.,The Veteran's heart disability, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for psoriasis, dry eye syndrome, and scars of the abdomen and lumbar spine due to a lack of medical opinions regarding the etiology of his heart disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide VA Form 21-4142s for any private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the causes of obesity, which may have contributed to the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart and lung disabilities due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The Veteran's death was caused by acute hypoxemic arrest, with COPD as a contributory cause.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability and cause of death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 100% rating since September 20, 2022. The condition is rated under the General Formula for Diseases of the Heart.

The Board has determined that there is no current cardiac disability at any time approximate to the pendency of this appeal, and thus service connection for coronary artery disease or other cardiac disability cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the VA medical records do not adequately address whether the Veteran's asthma and CAD conditions were aggravated by prescribed statin medications, leading to a remand for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed heart disability, including hypertensive heart disease. The Veteran's in-service complaints and exposure to herbicide agents are considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus type II due to a right ankle disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease resulting from his exposure to herbicides during his active-duty military service in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on this exposure.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain outstanding medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. The Board found that his back disability is related to service due to a lifting injury during work as a diesel mechanic in 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence not having been considered and will provide another Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's left knee instability, gastrointestinal disability (Barrett's esophagus and GERD), and heart disability (PSVT, cardiac arrhythmia, paroxysmal ventricular arrhythmia) are all granted. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for unspecified sleep-wake disorder, tinea pedis (bilateral), skin condition to include eczema, acne, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, bursitis of the neck, degenerative disc disease, bilateral visual acuity loss, cerumen impaction, jugular venous distortion, gastritis, and heart condition have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding chest pain, angina, and shortness of breath associated with the Veteran's coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim is still pending.