Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requisite schedular percentages for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 24, 2017. The Board found that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart disorders and his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder), OSA, and degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, was dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to his active service, including any potential herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and heart disorder due to additional development of the record being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from a Federal prison where the Veteran was incarcerated. The Veteran is seeking an initial rating greater than 10 percent for ischemic heart disease, which was granted in June 2013 with a maximum of 100 percent assigned effective January 4, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and respiratory disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,New claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use dependence), heart disability (claimed as ischemic heart disease and/or residuals of stroke), hypertension, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service and the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his heart disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

The Board denied a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to December 20, 2019. However, beginning May 3, 2019, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression), eye disorders, shortness of breath, hypertension, kidney disorder, heart disorder, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease, an earlier effective date for the award of an increased rating for ischemic heart disease, and service connection for pancreatic cancer have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease with atrial fibrillation, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, finding no evidence of ischemic heart disease and noting that hypertension is not a presumptive condition related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart disorder. The claim for service connection for a left great toe disorder is denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a brain tumor is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether his pituitary microadenoma is related to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Board will consider this evidence and make a decision based on the new information.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for her service-connected hypertensive heart disease from a reduced 60% to its original 60%. The reduction was found to be improper due to inadequate examination and procedural issues.