Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for ischemic heart disease and TDIU prior to September 17, 2019 due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, both claimed as a result of exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's exposure is presumed due to his duty near the air base perimeter in Thailand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with service connection for a heart disability, including problems obtaining relevant service treatment records and character of discharge information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorders, including ischemic heart disease. The VA is required to obtain additional opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, CAD, and hypertension, all found to be aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's death is found to be related to or attributable to his military service, including as due to service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse secondary to the PTSD. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and the need for further examination of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including those diagnosed post-service.

The Veteran's heart disability, left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, kidney dysfunction (secondary to hypertension), residuals of strokes, and dementia are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claims for service connection of his heart conditions, specifically hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The case is being remanded to obtain a new examination and medical opinion that addresses whether these conditions are related to active service or caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and vertigo are denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 2, 2010 for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to procedural issues and lack of a statement of the case.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease.,Service connection is granted for ocular hypertension (now eye disability) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,The appeal regarding the ocular hypertension issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of adequate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded for additional development. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims, but has not made a final determination on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed headaches and coronary artery disease, which are secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence regarding herbicide exposure at Warren Air Force Base, and a new hearing is not requested. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease will be reconsidered with additional information on potential chemical exposures.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. His heart conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's CAD warrants a rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for the period prior to September 30, 2020.