Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides in Panama, and unit records. The AOJ is instructed to take further action as directed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic diseases during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the heart disorder was not caused by service-connected bronchitis.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disability (sinus bradycardia and incomplete right bundle branch block) and hypertension. The Veteran's heart conditions were noted during service, and he was prescribed medication for his hypertension in June 2000.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for a higher rating for coronary artery disease, entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 28, 2022, and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to January 28, 2022. The Board finds that these issues have not yet been adjudicated by the AOJ and remands them for further action.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU prior to March 10, 2015, as well as earlier effective dates for DEA and SMC. The Veteran's VA Form 21-4142 was not properly processed due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's hypertension, CAD with aortic valve stenosis, gout, bilateral eye disability, hemorrhoids, kidney disability, and left knee edema were not incurred or aggravated during service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions as the evidence does not establish that any of these disabilities began in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's eligibility for Family Caregiver services was denied due to not requiring care for a minimum of six months. The Board has found that the decision is based on an error and needs to be corrected.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and that he now has a diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to deficiencies in the record. Specifically, additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and coronary artery disease (CAD) as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service, despite the Veteran's belief that his symptoms were related to Gulf War exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The evidence did not support finding that his active service unit was among those units presumed exposed to an herbicide agent.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that coronary artery disease did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to his service-connected IHD, atrial fibrillation, and SSS. The VA examiners concluded that there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's heart conditions cause or aggravate his COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals, Cushing's syndrome, CAD, hypertension, and DMII due to exposure to various chemicals during service. The AOJ is directed to verify the Veteran's reported exposures and obtain VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied for CAD in the period prior to January 9, 2018, and from January 9, 2018 to November 1, 2019. A 60 percent rating is granted for CAD beginning November 1, 2019. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective March 23, 2018. SMC based on housebound criteria and TDIU are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a medical opinion and an incomplete review of the service department records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities need to be evaluated in relation to his discharge.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for ischemic heart disease (IHD) from November 9, 2011, to March 28, 2013, was denied. However, the Board granted a 30 percent rating effective from March 29, 2013, to August 23, 2013.,The Veteran's IHD remained at the same severity level (60%) from November 9, 2011, until August 23, 2013.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60 percent rating as of September 1, 2017. The previous ratings were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient attempts to obtain private treatment records. The appellant is asked to assist in obtaining these records and provide them to VA.