Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has vacated the denial of a higher disability rating for service-connected coronary artery disease and remanded the issue to allow for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg and foot disabilities, varicose veins, heart disability, hypertension, hysterectomy, menopause, incontinence, bilateral eye disability, and psychiatric disability (to include depression) were all denied service connection. The case was remanded for additional development.,Service connection for sleep apnea, a heart disability, hypertension, a hysterectomy, menopause, hormonal changes, incontinence, and a bilateral eye disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of CAD or any other claimed conditions during the appeal period.,For each condition, the VA examiner provided an opinion that the Veteran's symptoms were not causally related to service.

The Veteran's heart condition is presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and new medical evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and coronary artery disease is granted, effective August 10, 2022. The appeal for the period prior to this date remains in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for valvular heart disease as there is no evidence of a chronic or recurring heart condition between the Veteran's separation from service and his diagnosis fifteen years later.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents while stationed near the Korean DMZ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 22, 2014.,Coronary artery disease was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 2018 and granted a maximum 100 percent rating effective June 1, 2018. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted effective June 1, 2018.,The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was filed in October 2014, with the earliest evidence of PTSD symptoms dating back to September 22, 2014.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for a migraine disorder, digestive or esophageal disorder (initially claimed as 'reflux esophagitis'), and heart disorder are remanded due to new evidence of diagnoses and need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete STRs. The issues of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive heart disease with LVH and mild diastolic dysfunction, major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, and retinal holes with lattice degeneration are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The appeals will be reconsidered after obtaining missing service personnel records, post-service treatment records, and arranging for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's chest pain, including bradycardia, is remanded for further examination and opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to missing records from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management or the National Personnel Records Center.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Service connection was granted for hypertension, with a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appeals for service connection for colon cancer, heart disorder, hepatosplenomegaly, and peripheral vascular disease are remanded due to lack of VA examination or opinion.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for coronary artery disease prior to April 5, 2022 is granted. The appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, diagnosed as acute superficial punctate keratitis, is granted service connection.,Service connection for GERD was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but the specific nature of the issues remains unclear as they are still being evaluated on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.