Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of cataracts due to a duty to assist error. The chest scar disability rating issue remains under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and pancreatic duct lesion are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, which includes exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, is granted with an effective date of October 8, 2021. The PACT Act impacts the effective date selection.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports the need for readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, which is currently pending. The case is being remanded to allow further development and consideration.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection under the PACT Act. His heart disability and lung disease are denied as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease that began during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. Therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for updated records. The Veteran's heart disorder may be related to his service, but more information is needed from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The VA will need to make reasonable efforts to obtain these records from identified private doctors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is related to his military service, granting service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to September 5, 2018. The decision grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to December 20, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent.,The Veteran's subsequent claim for increased ratings for CAD since December 20, 2017 was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 60 percent.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection as they have been fully granted in the May 2020 and September 2020 rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disability secondary to hypertension, and erectile dysfunction secondary to hypertension due to insufficient information in the March 2020 VA examination report regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claims, including the need to obtain VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his TDIU claim and bilateral hearing loss rating were both denied. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 100% combined disability rating due to service-connected coronary artery disease, but the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on any single service-connected condition other than his coronary artery disease. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, including after a myocardial infarction, are rated at 60 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease disability is now rated at 60 percent effective from May 26, 2016. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent rating for ischemic heart disease effective March 1, 2016. The Board also granted an initial rating of 100 percent for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for radial nerve peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity was denied. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy were granted based on new and relevant evidence submitted after the August 2019 denial.