Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected ischemic heart disease was granted with a 30% rating, effective July 9, 2008. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 30%, finding no evidence to support such during the period from July 9, 2008 and July [REDACTED], 2010.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for effective dates earlier than July 1, 2016, as the Veteran died during the pendency of these appeals.

The Board has determined that the validity of the overpayment debt needs to be reviewed, and additional development is required. The Veteran's service connection claim for other disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are all granted. The claim for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hammertoes, hypertension, muscle and joint disorders of various body parts, upper and lower gastrointestinal tract disorders, eye disorder, sleep apnea, surgical scars, and headache disorder due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for tinnitus and heart disability. However, both claims are remanded as additional medical opinions and examinations are needed due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is granted effective September 24, 2015. The appeals regarding the ratings for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition, ventricular arrhythmia, and heart murmur, finding that her pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by or caused by her active-duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and denied service connection for heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to heart disorder).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from Dr. M., and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus Type II and a heart condition due to herbicide agent exposure are denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's migraine condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,The appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability manifested by hypothyroidism was denied because the VA examiner found no indication that the Veteran's use of amiodarone caused his condition.,The appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to failure to remove a surgical clip in the left lower ankle and staple in the lower left leg were denied as the VA examiner found no evidence that the Veteran experienced an event not reasonably foreseeable or fault on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's surviving spouse's motion for substitution and found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and a heart disease (claimed residual of a heart attack) are remanded.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU beginning on January 11, 2018 due to service-connected disabilities including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Prior to this date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there was no prior claim or denial concerning these benefits.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for CAD has also been denied due to the lack of a prior claim or denial.

Your initial claim for a higher rating for your service-connected cardiovascular disability has been dismissed as the benefits have already been granted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder due to the death of the appellant before any decision was made.