Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The claims for service connection of hernias, coronary artery disease (CAD), and a mental health disorder are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for cause of death due to coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand during his active service and thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right leg and ankle disability, but has remanded his claim for service connection for heart disability including hypertension due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing the in-service complaints and their relation to the Veteran's fatal heart failure and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's ischemic heart disease was caused by his service, particularly given his exposure to herbicide agents. The VA is required to obtain a retrospective posthumous medical opinion to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is granted. Service connection for prostate cancer, presumed due to exposure to burn pits, is also granted under the PACT Act. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer on any other basis than the PACT Act is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death, right hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and IVDS.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, specifically whether he had ischemic heart disease during his lifetime. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, spleen cyst, kidney cyst, heart disorder (cardiac arrhythmia), and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Chaffee. The VA must provide a medical examination or opinion to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, episodes of visual loss (floaters), arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and nerve damage is granted. The AOJ should arrange for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded several claims of service connection due to the need for additional records from the Dallas VAMC, which may be relevant to these cases.

The Veteran's heart disability is rated at 60 percent since February 20, 2020.,Effective February 20, 2020, the Veteran is granted TDIU based solely on his service-connected heart disability. He also qualifies for SMC(s) from that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his coronary artery disease was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent. The temporary total disability rating due to hospitalization for service-connected coronary artery disease in July 2015 was denied.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence of a service-connected injury or illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for medical opinions. The issues include left wrist, forearm, eye disabilities, hypertension, CAD, and cerebrovascular accident.

Service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is granted.,Service connection for right rib fracture as secondary to service-connected right foot neuroma and/or right foot peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, squamous cell carcinoma, diabetes mellitus type 2, bladder cancer, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease, due to exposure to herbicides. The remand includes verifying Agent Orange exposure and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to burn pits during his Gulf War service. The Veteran contends his heart disability, sleep disorder, right foot condition, respiratory disorder, and fatigue are related to this exposure.