Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in service and is not related to herbicide exposure. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,Neuropathy of the arms, hands, and legs was not diagnosed during service or within one year after separation from service. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,Dementia was not diagnosed during service or within one year after separation from service. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his CAD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is granted. The heart disorder issue, including service connection due to herbicide agent exposure and as secondary to PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for ischemic heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, and skin disabilities. The additional evidence submitted since the May 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case will be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability other than IHD and a respiratory disability, including COPD, are remanded.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the claims for service connection for various conditions and remanded these issues to obtain additional records, including a report of medical history from the Veteran's discharge examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a failure by the Regional Office to properly assist in developing his service connection claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and unit histories. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and heart disability are denied as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding service connection for atrial fibrillation. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his heart condition.

The Board denied attorney fees because the July 2022 rating decision did not result in any increase of the Veteran's combined schedular rating or award of past-due benefits, even though it granted an earlier effective date for service connection and initial rating for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to a failure to verify herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and lung cancer, finding that there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam or elsewhere. The Veteran served on active duty from April 1962 to April 1966, but did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, his conditions are not presumed service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type 2, as due to exposure to herbicides while serving aboard the USS Enterprise within 12 nautical miles from the shores of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic fibroadenosis of the breast, heart disability (including sinus bradycardia and second-degree AV block type I), hypertension, and atypical chest wall pain is restored. The issues of service connection for a heart disability secondary to thyroid disability and for thyroid disability secondary to heart disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The issues are also related to an initial compensable rating for OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and left knee disability have been granted. The hair disorder claim was denied. A 20% rating for the left knee based on limitation of flexion is granted, effective from December 17, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, have impacted his ability to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation at any time during the appeal period. The Board finds it necessary to remand this matter for a medical advisory opinion addressing the Veteran's functional limitations with respect to his service-connected disabilities throughout the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, left arm condition (left shoulder bicipital tendonitis), and cervical spine condition (cervical strain). The appeals are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.