Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions, and failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements and medical articles.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart, kidney, and liver disabilities due to their relationship with his service-connected tuberculosis. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by his tuberculosis.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a heart condition, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including skin disease, bladder condition, heart disorder, and COPD. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an error in not considering exposure to commercial herbicides used during the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for the period prior to October 3, 2013 due to insufficient evidence and a lack of adequate notice. The Veteran is required to provide additional information and evidence related to his employment status and any private treatment records from before that date.

The Board has remanded the claim for ischemic heart disease due to a lack of records and further medical evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with status-post coronary bypass graft was evaluated at a 60 percent rating, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as he did not meet the criteria for chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for left ear hearing loss and the claim for coronary heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease) are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The foot disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder. The appeal as to the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD (to include as secondary to a heart disorder), and bronchitis is REMANDED.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected cardiovascular disabilities, as they do not prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in any year prior to March 24, 2016, and since then, his disability picture most nearly approximates the criteria for a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The Board has ordered remand on issues related to substitution and entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's symptoms prior to September 15, 2006 were manifestations of his current diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including exposure to toxic chemicals at Fort McClellan and a VA-contracted examination for his heart disability. The issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects, due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during and after service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and its potential impact on his health conditions, including hypertension.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an effective date prior to December 13, 2013 for service connection and entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for Ischemic Heart Disease.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.