Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's IHD was granted a 100% rating from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2021. An initial 10% rating for atrial fibrillation was also granted.

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which grants SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. As a result, there is no question left to decide regarding entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to intertwining issues and insufficient medical opinions. The heart disability claim is now recharacterized as a heart condition, and additional development is needed regarding secondary service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disability, CAD, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and OSA, due to exposure during service. The Veteran's MOS was as an engineering equipment repairman and he served near Camp Carroll in the Republic of Korea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. A new examination is required to provide a clear and definitive opinion on whether service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disorder was aggravated by his service-connected COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and kidney disease are related to service due to herbicide exposure in Okinawa. However, the evidence is insufficient for VA to make this determination without further development.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of May 19, 2015 for a 100 percent rating for service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to October 20, 2021, and an evaluation in excess of 60 percent thereafter.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction due to the service-connected coronary artery disease is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal of high cholesterol (claimed as hyperlipidemia) has been withdrawn.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for GERD is denied, as it cannot be earlier than March 11, 2015.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to in-service exposure or within one year post-separation from service.,CAD and respiratory conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service.,A neck disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to GERD and right foot disability) are also remanded for further examination and opinion.,Polysubstance abuse is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to GERD, right foot disability, or CAD.,ED is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease, which was linked to exposure to herbicide agents, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left leg numbness is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation based on the cessation of active treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder other than mitral valve prolapse is related to her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, as well as prostate cancer, are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and noting that there was not a link between the Veteran's pre-service heart condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection, rating for coronary artery disease, and TDIU prior to May 2, 2011. The Veteran's effective date for service connection is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied. The issue of secondary service connection for a heart condition related to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease. The Veteran's representative requested an in-person VA examination to address potential environmental exposures during his Gulf War service.