Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further investigation and review due to errors in verifying the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The issues of service connection for B cell lymphoma, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertensive vascular disease are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the August 2020 rating decision. The Board is instructed to obtain updated medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or not.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cause of death and burial benefits due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as unspecified natural causes, with contributory heart, renal, and vascular diseases. A TERA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and whether there is a nexus between his conditions and this exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has found that remand is required due to the lack of private cardiology treatment records and hospital records, which are necessary to determine if an earlier effective date for the 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) can be assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for abnormal ECG with tachycardia / a heart disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's service records from November 19, 1991, to May 1994 are needed, as well as post-service VA treatment records from 1995 through February 2009, and Social Security Administration disability application records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the effective dates sought are not earlier than October 5, 2021.,For issues related to service connection, the earliest date of entitlement is considered to be October 5, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, including valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, right bundle branch block and aortic root aneurism, is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disability, low back disability, and left knee disability are also granted.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was granted with an effective date of February 15, 2017. The initial rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is secondary to his service-connected Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes Mellitus Type II. The examiner needs to address whether obesity, which may be related to the service-connected conditions, was a substantial factor in causing the OSA.

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.