Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, which resulted in a heart valve replacement, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and questioning whether the Veteran had coronary artery disease. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have atrial fibrillation until several years after service.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation benefits was not properly created due to an inadvertent duplication of pension and compensation payments, and thus grants the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disorder due to in-service asbestos and/or chemical exposure. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded as it is intertwined with his heart disorder claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and nasal sinus cancer have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA medical opinion and missing treatment records. The appellant is asked to provide additional information for obtaining any relevant records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and heart disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran was receiving the highest rate of SMC at the time of his death, and a higher rate claim is denied as it would be in violation of law.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent disability rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease prior to April 2, 2014 and a 100 percent disability rating from that date. He is also granted TDIU since April 2, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, frostbite of the left foot, frostbite of the right foot, and a left knee disorder were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing possible connections to in-service incidents.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, heart disability, and stroke disability due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The bilateral eye condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disability and heart disease as secondary to a lung disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher evaluation than 30 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 100 percent for atrioventricular block with pacemaker and CAD status post coronary artery bypass graft, effective from February 8, 2011.

The appeal for diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted.,The appeal for a prostate condition and heart condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of CAD, PTSD, and hearing loss are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than currently assigned.