Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and supraventricular arrhythmias are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the case as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ must provide the requested VA examination reports and issue an SSOC.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease, finding no current diagnosis of a heart disability during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left shoulder condition due to conflicting medical evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, which caused his death, began during service and is therefore service-connected for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, DM with diabetic complications, prostate disability (chronic prostatitis), and heart disability (coronary artery disease) are being remanded for further development.,Additional medical records will be requested to determine the presence of these conditions prior to the Veteran’s death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD)/heart disease as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability, finding that there is no causal relationship between the two.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted. The claim for service connection for a lung disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's CHF was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and coronary artery disease are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and heart condition due to insufficient reasoning in previous opinions, particularly regarding the relationship between any current heart disorder and service. The claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are all granted. The COPD claim is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease from October 9, 1998 to October 17, 2008 as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

Service connection is granted for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is denied for heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, II. These conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been resolved by a December 2020 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, stroke, and back disorder. The appellant's claims were based on his active duty service from June 17, 1980 to August 14, 1980 and June 29, 1981 to August 14, 1981.,The Board found that the appellant did not have a heart attack or stroke during his active duty service. The only evidence of a heart disorder was prior to his National Guard service in 1980 and after his separation from service in 1983. Therefore, there is no basis for service connection.,The Board also found that the appellant's back disorder did not develop during his active duty or National Guard service. The only evidence of a back injury was in November 2003, which occurred years after his separation from service.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is granted a 60% rating as of November 5, 2020. His hearing loss and scars are denied higher ratings. The Veteran's CAD remains at a 30% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia have been granted as presumptive conditions associated with herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back degenerative disc disease, residuals of head injury (including vertigo), lung condition, and heart condition. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, anemia residuals, a heart disorder (including chronic heart failure and peripheral vascular disease), and carotid artery disease. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred during service or caused by in-service herbicide exposure.