Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, heart valve replacement, implanted cardiac pacemaker, and endocarditis are currently rated at 30 percent under DC 7005. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, the METs level at which symptoms appeared was greater than 5 METs, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was within the range of 30 to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for aid and attendance allowance for his spouse is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to unclear causation of the Veteran's symptoms. The pulmonic stenosis with anxiety reaction may be causing blackouts, but this needs clarification. Service connection for CAD and MI as secondary to pulmonic stenosis with anxiety is also in question.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current heart disability is related to his service at Camp Lejeune, including exposure to contaminated drinking water.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular, vascular, and respiratory disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease requires regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is unable to perform daily activities safely due to his condition.

The Board has found a need for additional medical opinion regarding the cause of death and remands the case to obtain such an opinion. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is considered at least as likely as not a contributory cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents. The examiner must provide a thorough opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and prostate cancer as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, specifically whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's rating for coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 30 percent, effective September 2, 2014 was not proper and is void ab initio. The prior rating of 60 percent is restored.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 25, 1984, for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, skin disorder (chloracne), prostate cancer, thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism), testicular cancer, heart disorder (ischemic heart disease), and Parkinson's disease and/or Parkinsonism. The Board found no current disability in these conditions and concluded that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his service on Guam.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, GERD, and sleep apnea as they are related to service-connected PTSD. The VA will provide new opinions regarding whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU, rendering moot his claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and IHD.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension has been granted as presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post CABG with scar and atherosclerosis, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure at Ubon Air Force Base in Thailand and provide an opinion on whether the fasting blood sugar note was an early indicator of diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's current heart disability is not related to his in-service complaints of chest pain and does not have a nexus with service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or improper medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.