Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding non-tactical herbicides and other pesticides used at Aberdeen Proving Grounds from June 8, 1953 to July 23, 1953. The Veteran's heart condition is related to in-service exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and a heart disability (including coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery bypass graft). The appellant withdrew his appeal in full.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability, including heart palpitations. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and heart disorder due to insufficient evidence in the July 2022 decision. The RO is required to obtain VA medical opinions to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses, assess whether his right knee disability caused or aggravated his obesity, and determine if his sleep apnea and/or heart disorder are related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to natural causes, and there is no evidence that any service-connected disability contributed to his death. The Board found the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death denied as there was no exposure to herbicide agents or other conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is related to her service, and therefore grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 26, 2014 are being remanded due to the assignment of a combined disability evaluation of 100 percent with his coronary artery disease rated as 100 percent disabling from that date onward.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 10, 2013 for the award of service connection for myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease and coronary artery bypass graft associated with herbicide exposure. The claim was submitted on that date.

The Veteran's hypertension and/or hypertensive heart disease, type II diabetes, and diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are all granted as they meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The claims for left knee, right knee, low back, scar from hernia surgery, and heart conditions are still pending and will be remanded for further development.,New evidence received since the last final denial supports reopening the claims for tinnitus, but additional information is needed to determine if any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided and the need for a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current heart condition to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart condition, so these matters are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, kidney disorder, CVA residuals, heart disorder, COPD, and multiple myeloma, due to exposure to toxic substances during active service. The PACT Act requires a VA examination and medical opinion in these cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. The cases are remanded due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based solely on service-connected PTSD, effective May 13, 2022. Additionally, the Veteran is granted SMC effective May 13, 2022.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable due to its severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his exposure to toxic substances (TERA) and delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's heart disability is being reviewed in light of his service at Camp Lejeune, where he was exposed to contaminated water.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board must obtain private medical records from his treating physicians for the period of April 7, 1997, to December 7, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed reductions in ratings for ischemic heart disease and axon peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as the May 2023 rating decision was only a proposal, not a final agency action.