Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the appellant is not eligible for substitution as he did not file a valid claim or request for higher level review at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to procedural issues and to determine if any of the appellants submitted claims for DIC benefits prior to their deaths. The effective date for service connection is being considered based on VA's special rules for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's disability rating for coronary artery disease was restored to 60 percent effective September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and blood clots are being remanded due to the need for further research into his exposure to herbicides during active duty in Okinawa.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, a skin disability, sinusitis, and heart disability due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The increased rating claim for coronary artery disease remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a heart disability, including concerns about verification of exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam and Thailand. The Veteran is seeking presumptive service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet are granted due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for a dental disorder on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 16, 2013. Therefore, a TDIU is granted since October 16, 2013, but no earlier.

The Board has decided that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The appeal regarding the stroke and heart disability issues is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's unit was not located in or near the Korean DMZ, and thus did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adenitis was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claims for multiple myeloma, coronary artery disease, and shingles were reopened based on the submission of new and relevant evidence.,Service connection is granted for multiple myeloma with metastasis to the spine and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction with pacemaker. Service connection for shingles was denied due to lack of causation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of CUE in his original rating decision that granted a 100% evaluation for coronary artery disease from May 29, 2007. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) as the evidence did not show new facts or incorrect application of law at the time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for lung and heart disabilities, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and his TDIU prior to August 28, 2017 are both remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board's June 2022 remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 C.F.R. § 1114(s) was denied because the AOJ did not consider his diabetes mellitus and its associated complications as a single disability, despite having a combined rating of 100%.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for high cholesterol, heart condition, back condition, and right knee condition due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent from December 15, 2015 to November 21, 2019. As of November 22, 2019, his condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at a 100 percent disability rating, which renders the issue of entitlement to a higher combined rating moot.