Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his heart disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent, which would warrant a higher rating. For TDIU, the Board noted that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not the sole cause of his inability to work and concluded that he was not unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's heart disorder, skin disorder on feet, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and sinus disorder were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all conditions except the Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), which were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart condition, arthritis, hypothyroidism, and Graves' disease due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, respiratory disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiological disability (coronary artery disease), kidney disability (chronic kidney disease), bilateral eye disability, and stomach disability (GERD). The claims are being remanded to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Polk.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from October 31, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TDIU due to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The appeals are related and cannot be bifurcated. Additional information is needed from the Veteran regarding his prior occupations, and a medical opinion is required to address the impact of CAD on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to service-connected anxiety disorder and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's coronary heart disease status post myocardial infarction (MI) with implantable cardiac pacemaker resulted in a workload no greater than 3.0 METs and fatigue, angina, or syncope since May 19, 2013. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for this condition from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), left upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to potential outstanding SSA records.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, arteriosclerotic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, PVD, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disabilities, including LBBB, bradycardia, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, mild mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valve regurgitation, and CAD. The Board found no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; right lung pulmonary fibrosis; restrictive lung diseases; skin cancer of the entire body; enlarged prostate with elevated PSAs; heart disability; erectile dysfunction; stroke; hypertension; left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; sleep apnea; and loss of use of the right arm and hand due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Korea prior to September 1, 1967.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart condition are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for the Veteran's hypertension is granted. The cases of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests for additional evidence, including VA Community Care Program records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder is granted from August 31, 2012. The issue of TDIU due to the psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot. Service connection for COPD and heart disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues include left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, lumbosacral spine condition, skin condition, GERD, and heart condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) as secondary to hypertension, but denied service connection for a heart disability claimed as pericarditis, also secondary to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for a heart disability and whether the Veteran served in Southwest Asia. The examination is needed to determine if there are any current heart disabilities, their relation to service, and if cardiac testing can reliably indicate the presence of an undiagnosed heart condition.