Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent for hypertensive heart disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer residuals and a heart disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service, specifically his exposure to burn pits during his time stationed in Germany and Aberdeen, Maryland.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for skin cancer is remanded as the Veteran's current diagnosis may be related to long-term sun exposure rather than herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and lower back disability for further development. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is not considered a full grant, as he did not explicitly state his satisfaction with the 30 percent evaluation. For the lower back disability, the Board found that the VA examination was incomplete and requested an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease from October 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016 was granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for atrial flutter is set at February 9, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disability, including aortic stenosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), and/or hypertension, due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service or exposure to radiation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional development is required.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them due to lack of specific error in determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. The Veteran must provide further substantiation of his claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to March 20, 2012 was considered part and parcel of his increased rating for neuropathy. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any one of his service-connected disabilities alone renders him unemployable prior to March 20, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease prevents him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his limited education and occupational history.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The low back and bilateral knee disorders are denied as not incurred or caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for aortic aneurysm, initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 60 percent for CAD, service connection for skin cancer, OSA, diabetes mellitus type II, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection for aortic aneurysm in September 2020. The claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for CAD prior to October 26, 2018, from October 26, 2018 to June 24, 2020, and service connection for OSA have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and PTSD were denied. The RO assigned effective dates of February 20, 2014, which is one year prior to the date that the Veteran’s claims were received by VA.,The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for service connection for PTSD prior to February 20, 2015. The RO assigned an effective date of February 20, 2014, which is one year prior to the date that the Veteran’s FDC application was received by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability and cause of death. The issues on appeal are service connection for a heart disability and cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is presumed exposed to Agent Orange during his temporary duty assignment in Vietnam, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if hypertension is related to service.

The appeal for service connection of a heart condition has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the severity of his arteriosclerotic heart disease from September 2008 to May 2015 and whether a new VA examination is needed.