Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 6, 2017 is being remanded due to the possibility that he may be unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities. The case will now be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, including participation in TERA activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Okinawa, Japan, and therefore grants service connection for a heart condition, including coronary artery disease status-post myocardial infarction, as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pes cavus and left wrist CTS was dismissed. The claim to reopen his cervical spine disorder was granted, but the Board also remanded the cases of heart disorder and DM for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical opinions addressing his heart conditions.

The Board denied service connection for throat disorder, heart disorder, and prostate disorder. The decision stated that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as moot because his Supplemental Claim was granted in full, and there are no remaining issues for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his heart disability and entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and peripheral arterial diseases of multiple limbs, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 23, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to unclear VA examination reports and incomplete employment history.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on being factually housebound has been denied due to the presence of nonservice-connected disabilities. The appeal is remanded to consider whether she meets the schedular criteria for SMC based on housebound status after her increased rating for Sjogren's syndrome is determined.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted, but the heart disorder issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus secondary to his right knee disability, sleep apnea, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction are all granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The appeal for service connection of allergies, right and left ankle disabilities, PTSD, asthma, hypertensive heart disease, and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been dismissed. The effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD remains September 1, 2013.

The Veteran's right thumb condition and heart condition have been granted effective from January 21, 2016. The initial rating for the right thumb disability is set at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to toxic exposure during his military service. The opinions should consider all of the Veteran's exposures, including asbestos and lead paint, in determining whether these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active-duty service.,Service connection for a heart condition is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD) with congestive heart failure (CHF), right leg edema, and left leg edema, all of which are related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Fort McClellan.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure and consider the new presumptive period under the Blue Water Act.