Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's death is related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD and the medication used for treatment. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to consider this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining missing service treatment records, including those from the Veteran's time in Special Forces. The heart condition claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic neuropathy right lower extremity are all granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy left lower extremity is also granted as service connected due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence showing a workload of greater than 7 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's lung cancer and heart condition are not service-connected due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The lung cancer claim is denied, while the heart condition claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and dismissed the remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, fatigue, tension headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD).

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence added since the last decision in February 2019. The issues of service connection for various cancers and diseases are being reconsidered.

The Board has decided that the remand for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea is necessary due to inadequate development and findings in previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period of October 5, 2012 through July 12, 2023.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The skin rash condition, allergies, and heart condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's exposure during his military service. The Veteran was not notified that requested flight records were unavailable, and another remand is necessary.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination and a need for retrospective opinions considering lay evidence from the September 2016 DRO hearing.

Service connection for malaria is denied. The Veteran's claim has been reopened, but service connection cannot be established as there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis is linked to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection for the heart disability (atherosclerosis of the aorta) is granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis and there is evidence linking it to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied. There is no disease or disability listed under VA regulations that corresponds with this condition.,Service connection for asbestosis is denied. There is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service, and the Veteran's claim cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection.,Service connection for chronic constipation (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied. There is no evidence of GERD during service and the condition cannot be linked to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for cataract of the left eye is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for myasthenia gravis and double vision is granted. There is a current diagnosis and evidence linking it to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood is found to be the primary cause of his currently diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD).,Bilateral hearing loss is granted as a result of noise exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for throat condition and heart condition.,For the throat condition, there is no evidence linking it to service. The VA examiner found that strep pharyngitis was treated during service but not related to current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability prior to February 21, 2020 is remanded. The TDIU claim prior to July 7, 2017 remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than August 4, 2016, and a higher initial disability rating prior to April 13, 2021, for coronary artery disease due to further development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mixed bipolar disorder.