Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cause of death is due to myocardial infarction, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition cannot be granted as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or a nexus between active service and the cause of death. The recognition of D. as the helpless child of the Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining 18 years old is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in VA's duty to assist.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection due to the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical history, including exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The issues are related to heart disorder (CAD), sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), bilateral lower extremity edema, respiratory disorder, back disability, erectile dysfunction, headaches, slurred speech, neurocognitive disorder, blurred vision, and tiredness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and renal failure due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS Catskill.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus due to a duty-to-assist error in determining when the Veteran served near the Korean DMZ. The AOJ is instructed to clarify the dates of service, determine the proximity of Camp Baker, Camp Coiner, and Paju, Korea to the Korean DMZ, and assess whether the Veteran's duties were 'in or near' the DMZ.

The Board has found that the Veteran's skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, are service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, chronic lymphoid leukemia, polycythemia vera, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), erectile dysfunction, and incontinence have been remanded due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a heart condition and left shoulder condition have been remanded due to the need for further review.,An initial 50% evaluation for migraine headaches is granted, effective from June 15, 2019.

Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for contact dermatitis is dismissed as the appeal was rendered moot by the consideration of new evidence in the September 2023 decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it falls under the presumptive conditions related to active service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to herbicide agent exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's bladder disorder, status-post bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and renal deficiency are remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Parkinson's Disease and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand. Service connection for memory loss and delirium was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board's decision denied reopening of claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cause of death. The denial was vacated due to the failure to respond to a request for an extension of time.

From September 12, 1994, to April 26, 2012, the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease prevented him from following a substantially gainful occupation.,The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period from September 12, 1994, to April 26, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and heart disease were not incurred during service.,His degenerative neck disease did not manifest in or shortly after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease all had their respective ratings either denied or not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The heart disorder, vision disorder, and right knee disorder claims are being remanded for further examination and determination.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, kidney disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and dementia. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development and the need for VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically related to his exposure to commercial pesticides during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA treatment records.