Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, cognitive disorder (short-term memory loss and mental issues), and multiple transient ischemic attacks due to potential exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The RO is instructed to seek further evidence from official sources regarding the Veteran’s alleged exposure.

The Board has remanded cases for further factual development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while serving aboard the USS ZELIMA, as it is unclear whether he served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam or any similar area identified in the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease (CAD) was denied. The current effective date is February 2, 2017, when the disability rating was increased to 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cause of death, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, and accrued benefits due to a lack of a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 11, 2009. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was restored, effective from August 1, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, liver condition (hemochromatosis and fatty liver disease), and heart condition (coronary artery disease and mild aortic sclerosis) due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The VA is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has already granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, so there are no remaining issues to decide.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran’s obesity is not a compensable disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) in November 2020, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the heart disorder of CAD and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension is remanded as it was not established by presumption.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because of uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran was notified of his scheduled VA examination.

The Board has found that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder. The cause of death claim and the DIC claim are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to October 4, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.,For the period from October 4, 2016 onwards, the Veteran's CAD symptoms were rated at 30 percent. However, the Board found that this rating is also not appropriate and remanded the case to determine if a higher rating could be assigned.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of hypertension and heart condition due to herbicide exposure. The decision on these issues is pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU with an effective date of April 10, 1999. From January 26, 2009 onwards, he is also entitled to SMC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 21, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected conditions and his death from esophageal cancer.