Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the claims for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus II, atrial fibrillation (claimed as ischemic heart disease), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and thus could not grant presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran did not provide credible evidence to support his claims for direct-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to provide a VA examination, which could have determined whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease/heart condition and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes, heart impairment, and hearing loss. The psychiatric impairment and skin impairment claims have been remanded due to new evidence submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error related to his reported exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board requests that the AOJ verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, while stationed with Company C, 725th Maintenance Battalion, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii from June 9, 1973, to October 21, 1975.

An initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted, but no higher.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure during service is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to provide proper notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The claims for erectile dysfunction, diabetes type 2, and bilateral lower body neuropathy have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's skin cancer on the nose and back is related to his military service, and he was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. Service connection for this condition has been granted.,Coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during active duty. The Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's CAD increased rating claim is dismissed. The initial PTSD rating is granted at a 70 percent level, but no higher. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and a heart condition manifested by irregular heartbeat are granted, with the hypertension claim being granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and bladder cancer residuals. The rating assigned is 70 percent as of March 21, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 19, 2011. His TDIU is granted from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot degenerative changes of the first MTP joint, left foot degenerative changes of the first MTP joint, and heart disability have been granted due to new and relevant evidence submitted subsequent to the final denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of bronchitis and cardiomegaly and chronic organic heart disease due to a lack of VA examinations, outstanding medical records from USAH Nurnberg Germany, and procedural errors in adjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for COPD, a heart condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity is presumed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support these claims.

The claims for service connection for breast cancer, a left ankle disability, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are dismissed. The claim for service connection for heart disability secondary to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary effects. The appeal is now closed due to the Veteran's death.