Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, with an effective date of February 25, 2020.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were both granted due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from March 27, 2014 to September 1, 2014 and from January 1, 2015 to November 21, 2019. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is also granted for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy, but the issues are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, lung disorder and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or exposure to conditions that would warrant these diagnoses.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.,Ischemic heart condition is also granted as service connected on a presumptive basis due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for both coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease (an ischemic heart disease) are granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no pending intent to file of record prior to January 31, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for concurrent retired and disability pay (CRDP) is granted, effective from January 1, 2004 to April 30, 2016. The decision acknowledges the Veteran was not notified of the change in law allowing for payment of both retired pay and compensation.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for mesothelioma prior to December 17, 2015 and service connection for a heart disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification on which pulmonary function test result best reflects the severity of his mesothelioma from December 2014 to December 2015. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the etiology of his heart disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impetigo, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, PTSD prior to July 12, 2022, and TDIU prior to July 12, 2022 due to pending appeals in other cases. The AOJ must readjudicate these issues and provide an SSOC if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to exposure to herbicides in Korea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he was exposed to Agent Orange, and CAD is presumed associated with such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and initial ratings for his CAD. The Board found that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current lung disability and service, and also determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease, is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. However, the Veteran was not receiving any compensation for a service-connected disability at the time of his death, so Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly Arnold-Chiari Malformation (ACM) and its secondary effects on other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and ischemic heart disease has been granted. The appeal is also remanded for further development regarding the residuals of right hip replacement.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), hypertension, residuals of stroke associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, and right foot amputation of two toes have been granted due to new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as service-connected. The cervical spine disability and related neurological disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease manifested with a workload of greater than 5 and less than 7 METs, without congestive heart failure. The criteria for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.