Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxins at Pease Air Force Base. The claims for service connection are intertwined with the claim for diabetes, and further examination is needed after confirming exposures.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for service-connected CAD with CABG from May 1, 2018 onwards.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, but denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's CAD was found to have first become symptomatic during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from July 17 thru 23, 2011. Tinnitus was not shown to be related to service and the Board denied service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to insufficient information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are therefore remanded for a request to the U.S. Department of Army, Records Management and Declassification Agency (RMDA) for verification.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating for hypertensive heart disease prior to November 8, 2019 is remanded due to the submission of new evidence after the issuance of the June 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart, carotid artery, kidney, and bladder disorders due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and bronchiectasis has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim. The issue of service connection for chronic sinusitis is also remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional accrued benefits due to insufficient explanation of the $29,656.00 award in January 2014 and whether additional benefits are payable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since February 24, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective February 24, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his atherosclerotic heart disease and other conditions were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, but the Board is remanding to determine if his coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure were a contributory cause. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate, and an addendum from a cardiologist is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal was improperly docketed under the AMA framework and should be returned to the Legacy system for further processing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his heart disability and TDIU prior to December 1, 2016 is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues will be reconsidered with all available records.

The Veteran withdrew all remaining issues from his appeal, including those related to TDIU and DEA effective dates. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to new VA treatment records and the need to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung, heart, right leg disabilities, and sleep disturbances are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's fatal cardiac arrest was related to ischemic heart disease or any incident of active service, including military environmental exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's recurrent abscess of the right inguinal region has been granted service connection. The left ankle disorder, heart disease (claimed as hyperlipidemia), hypertension, and lazy eye have all been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service records regarding his reported Vietnam service. The Appellant must provide evidence of the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service.