Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection or an increase in rating for most of his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and a need for another VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability.

The case is remanded for further development and adjudicative action, including obtaining additional VA treatment records, attempting to obtain private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to their severity. The Board finds that SMC based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain an additional VA examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of impairment and determine if his coronary artery disease has worsened.

The Veteran's CAD, status-post CABG, was granted a 100% rating effective May 6, 2015. A 60% rating was denied prior to that date. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and DEA benefits from March 14, 2011 to February 10, 2014. SMC for housebound status was denied as the Veteran does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 60% or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and erectile dysfunction were denied as they are not due to exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether COPD is caused or aggravated by service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and related secondary conditions have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if his kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 60 percent for CAD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation in excess of 10 percent for CAD, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 2, 2021, is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for CAD remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion in a previous VA examination and because some medical records are missing. The Veteran's heart condition, claimed as tachycardia, is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing in-service occurrence or aggravation of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is advised to provide any relevant medical records and authorize VA to obtain them.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis, heart disorder, squamous cell carcinoma, and gout as secondary to hepatitis due to a lack of clarity in the medical records regarding whether the Veteran had hepatitis at any time proximate to his October 2015 claim. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and right eye disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for asbestosis.,Service connection for a heart disorder, claimed as a heart condition, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his conceded in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a residual scar, status post coronary artery bypass graft due to lack of evidence of any formal or informal claim prior to February 10, 2017.