Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

Service connection is granted for urinary incontinence as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected COPD with obstructive sleep apnea.,The Veteran's pleuritic chest pain claim remains pending and requires further examination and opinion.,The heart condition claim, including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues. A new opinion is needed regarding whether the heart condition is directly related to service.,Gastrointestinal disorder (including gastric ulcers and gastroenteritis but excluding IBS and GERD) claim remains pending and requires further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 9, 2013 for service-connected coronary artery disease and scar, status post coronary artery bypass graft. The decision states that the earliest effective dates were one year after the initial claim was received.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and residuals of tongue cancer due to potential errors in previous opinions and possible exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking service connection for various disorders, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney disorder, male reproductive organ disorder, and artery and vein disorder of all extremities. The claims are remanded due to the VA's failure to conduct additional follow-up on a previous request for records regarding herbicide/pesticide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung disability, heart disability, throat disability (claimed as esophageal disability), and diabetes mellitus, type II due to in-service exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disorder and heart disorder as there was no evidence of in-service injury, exposure to herbicides or chemical agents, or continuous symptoms from military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery atherosclerosis. The claim for service connection for CAD is pending, which may be considered as a contributory cause of death if granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective August 1, 2008. The decision found that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60% rating as of July 31, 2017. Prior to this date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG and stent is denied. The claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disability prior to July 9, 2001, is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, but remanded the skin cancer claim due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his active duty in Guam, and the PACT Act presumption applies.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and service connection for his heart disability, including a painful surgical scar of the anterior trunk, is remanded due to inconsistencies in medical records and ambiguities regarding the number and nature of scars.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a cardiovascular disability, prostate cancer, and right knee disability have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims. The Board found the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence of current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 17, 2021, and in excess of 60 percent on and after August 17, 2021, for hypertensive heart disease, coronary artery disease, coronary artery aneurysm with dissection residuals and stent placement, and myocardial infarction residuals. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and/or special home adaptation is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities are causing significant mobility issues, including right foot drop and difficulty walking.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 90 percent, which meets the criteria for TDIU from November 15, 2022 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected CAD, as the current ratings do not reflect the severity and duration of his condition during the specified periods.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The effective date is not specified as the decision is based on a presumption of exposure.