Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for congestive heart failure secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion to separate out symptomatology related to both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension, bilateral upper and lower diabetic peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the schedular criteria for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including coronary artery disease, is being readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue will be reconsidered on its merits.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not serve in Vietnam or Thailand where herbicide exposure is presumed. The Board denied both the cause of death claim and the burial benefits claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to a heart disability allegedly caused by VA treatment in February 2012. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's anxiety disorder had its onset during service and remands other issues including service connection for residuals of a stroke, rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to heart disorder related to herbicide exposure during service, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or disease and that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation did not have onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his heart conditions, specifically chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart disease with cardiomyopathy, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's total disability due to individual unemployability is granted, and his gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD and gastritis) is rated at 30 percent. The latter condition meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under DC 7346.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory failure due to melanoma. The Board determined that his ischemic heart disease did not substantially or materially contribute to the cause of death, nor did it combine to cause death.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease (IHD), all presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam era in Thailand.

An increased rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted from December 6, 2011.,Service connection for a skin condition (fibromatous type changes and keloid) is granted. The Veteran's current disability includes bilateral cataracts and glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.,PTSD claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Bilateral hearing loss claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, kidney infection, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower back pain is remanded. Service connection for sciatica is also remanded.,An increased rating for diabetes mellitus secondary to cataracts and glaucoma is remanded.,Service connection for kidney infection is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral ankle pain is remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.,Service connection for lower back pain is remanded.,Service connection for sciatica is remanded.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including supraventricular arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, heart valve replacement, cardiomyopathy, implanted cardiac pacemaker, and aortic aneurysm, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for clarification on their etiology.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60 percent disability rating prior to November 25, 2019 and a 100 percent disability rating since November 25, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), which is considered a direct link without any presumption or secondary basis. The Veteran's CHF and hypertensive heart disease are found to be related to his CAD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of referred issues and will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit information. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after these actions.