Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the DIC claim due to inadequate development of evidence regarding whether VA medication caused or aggravated the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition, leading to his death.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions and addendum opinions obtained in accordance with prior remand directives are inadequate, and thus the case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is instructed to attempt verification of these exposures and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and withdrawn the appeals for service connection for a lung disability, sleep apnea, heart disability, diabetes, hepatitis C, and hypertension.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was rated at 10 percent prior to November 24, 2010, and after March 11, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been resolved in full with a grant of benefits. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer is granted on a direct basis. The effective dates are set to the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. The AOJ is required to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including whether they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and lung cancer, finding that the conditions did not have their onset in service or were related to any incident of service including exposure to herbicides, asbestos, or diesel fuel.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2020. Simultaneously, special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was also granted starting from that same date.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disability are granted with increased ratings, but the rating for sleep apnea is remanded due to new evidence. The Board also found that service connection for a heart disability secondary to hypertension is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection as his current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for mitral valvular heart disease with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD but has remanded the issues of residuals of a broken nose, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, bilateral pes planus, and low back disability due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability, other than coronary artery disease (CAD), due to insufficient opinions regarding its etiology and whether it is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's cause of death (nonservice-connected cardiac/respiratory arrest, congestive heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease) is not related to his service. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's non-VA medical expenses incurred for emergency cardiac catheterization and bypass surgery in February to March 2019 are granted, as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergent condition that could not be addressed promptly at VA facilities.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, during the Veteran's service at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for his heart disability is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the increase in severity occurred within one year prior to the June 20, 2017, claim.