Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as they are related to a deceased appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his exposure to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune was at least as likely as not the cause of his pancreatic cancer and ultimately his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and COPD as secondary to his service-connected residuals of poliomyelitis due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that the Veteran's COPD aggravated his CAD beyond its natural progression.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 29, 2016 for the establishment of service connection for coronary artery disease and a rating of 100 percent for this condition.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 30, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of September 30, 2008 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and status post carotid endarterectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's MOS as a sheet metal worker during service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been increased to 60 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for stroke residuals secondary to CAD has also been granted. The Board found that there is at least an equipoise in the evidence regarding whether CAD caused the Veteran's strokes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance, specially adapted housing, and a special home adaptation grant has been denied due to lack of evidence showing loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, blindness in both eyes, loss of use of one lower extremity with residual organic disease or injury affecting balance or propulsion, loss or use of one lower extremity with loss or use of one upper extremity affecting balance and propulsion, loss or use of both upper extremities to preclude use of arms at or above the elbow, or full thickness or subdermal burns. The Veteran's disabilities are not related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the claims for a heart disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's other conditions, including sleep apnea and respiratory issues, are granted as secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for inguinal hernia, right shoulder disorder, eye disorder, heart disorder, GERD, and low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and left temple scar did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 21, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, residuals of a jaw fracture, and heart disorder.,There is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remands and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether they are related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease and service connection for migraine headaches due to the need for further examination and consideration of new VA criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for a heart disability. The respiratory issue is remanded for further examination.