Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected conditions caused or contributed to the Veteran's death. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's heart disease was not shown to warrant a rating higher than 60 percent for the periods specified, and thus his claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to their relationship with the Veteran's military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including skin disorders, heart conditions, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for all four conditions (respiratory disorder, stroke, heart disease, and Parkinson's disease). The appeals are dismissed.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand, as provided by the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the June 2022 Board remand. The Veteran's heart disability, thyroid disability, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are not considered service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There was no history of hypertension during the Veteran's active duty service. The current diagnoses were first noted years after separation.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition as due to exposure to herbicides and the cause of death, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus as a result of exposure to herbicide agents due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, skin condition of left arm, and heart disorder due to herbicide agent exposure while serving in the Marine Corps. The decision also requires a review of the Veteran's service records to determine if he served within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam or entered port in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for OSA is dismissed due to the withdrawal by his attorney.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss within one year after separation from service and it is not related to service.,Service connection for IHD remains denied as the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria for chronic congestive heart failure, workload restrictions, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) is denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in service and there are no complications requiring separate ratings.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 19, 2015, remains pending as the effective date has not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compartment syndrome of the left leg, aneurysms of the head and abdomen, and seizures due to herbicide agent exposure as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and active service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied reopening service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, hypertension, tinnitus, kidney disease, and a heart disorder (to include coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease). Service connection was granted for hypertension based on the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's cardiovascular and respiratory disorders were not shown in service, are not presumed to have been incurred in service, and no medical nexus has been established. The skin disorders were not shown in service, but the VA clinician is requested to determine if they are related to the in-service complaints of dry skin and dermatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 27, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer and heart disorder, finding the persuasive weight of evidence is in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and other chemicals during service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to kidney cancer remains pending as remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The claims of entitlement to increased ratings for various disabilities, including OSA, CAD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU prior to March 2, 2018, are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective from January 31, 2012. Service connection for hypertension is granted and effective from October 5, 2014. The claim for SMC is granted.