Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bipolar disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and coronary occlusion resulting in acute angina with respiratory problems (heart disability).,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for heart disease, status post ICD placement as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and onychomycosis. The appeals for hepatitis C, obstructive sleep apnea, and emphysema (now claimed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for right ankle strain, heart disorder, and TMJ disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 22, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension are granted. Service connection is also granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act for hypertension.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, heart disorder (claimed as bradycardia), and bilateral eye disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and service.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of in-service injury or event related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder as aggravated by service-connected bilateral knee disorders, but denied service connection for heart and hip disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fatigue, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, heart condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and depression have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disability, and left hip disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient verification of herbicide agent exposure at Camp St. Barbara.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a rating higher than 30% for hypertensive heart disease. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not related to service, and the evidence did not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in a year or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30%. The Board also denied the issue of TDIU prior to October 1, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during training at Fort Gordon in 1967.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for thoracic spine arthritis is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service. Service connection for asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and pulmonary disorder are remanded as the Veteran has not yet been examined for these conditions.,Service connection for heart disorder and chronic fatigue are remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether these disorders are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for colon cancer, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and type II diabetes mellitus (DM2). The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and tachycardia secondary to a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a previous remand directive and for clarification regarding the Veteran's congenital condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than heart disease due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his employment situation and educational background.

The Board has remanded the case due to an indication that the Veteran's coronary artery disease may have worsened since his last VA examination, and a current examination is needed to determine the severity of his disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to accrued benefits. He was also found not in need of aid and attendance or housebound status for SMC purposes.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of his causes of death were related to his active-duty service.