Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base is presumed, thus his conditions are presumed to have been caused by the herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a higher or separate compensable rating for his service-connected chest scar related to coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass graft was denied as the scar did not meet the criteria for a higher or separate compensable disability rating under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's current heart condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service cardiac symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding VA examinations for heart condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart condition remains under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various peripheral neuropathies and coronary artery disease are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions on whether her symptoms are related to her in-service exposure to environmental contaminants.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's vascular diseases, specifically peripheral vascular disease, aortic aneurysm, and valvular heart disease. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU for the period prior to February18, 2022.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and remanded the case for further development, including an addendum opinion on GERD. The Veteran's heart disorder is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease and Parkinson's Disease as secondary to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's active military service in Thailand, finding that he was presumptively exposed under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service exposure as a decontamination specialist at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, entitlement to accrued benefits, and entitlement to survivor's pension due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's valvular heart disease, which was previously denied. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from SSA.,The Board is also considering whether the Veteran should be granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and insufficient credible evidence to establish a direct or secondary relationship with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. Therefore, the cause of his death qualifies for VA compensation.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 22, 2014 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for service-connected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with coronary artery disease and cardiac arrhythmia with atrial flutter.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, as provided by the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea due to the need for an SOC.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an error in the previous decision regarding medical opinions and a need for further examination.