Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's heart disability was rated at 100 percent from May 11, 2016 to September 7, 2016. The Board granted this rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease, which includes myocardial infarction and bypass grafting, is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder, including atrial fibrillation, is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's kidney cysts were denied service connection, left hip strain and deviated septum were granted, and the claims for sleep apnea and heart disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment, leading to a TDIU rating prior to July 14, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and lung cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service or exposure to asbestos. The Board also noted that the Veteran's lung cancer is likely due to smoking tobacco products.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease with myocardial infarction is granted. Entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and ischemia due to exposure to herbicide agents on a facts found basis is also granted. The claims for service connection for idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disease and stroke syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional clarification and consideration of his heart disability claim. The Board also grants an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for lumbar spine surgical scar from March 1, 2016 to January 22, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction, have been rated. The Board finds that the current evaluations do not accurately reflect the severity of his conditions and remands for further examinations to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Panama and the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for stroke and ischemic heart disease due to in-service herbicide exposure and/or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and thyroid disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, neck disability, back disability, carotid artery disease, heart disability (manifested by chest pain), and peripheral vascular disease due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The new opinions are required to address continuity of symptomatology and in-service complaints.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders. The claim for respiratory disorders was not addressed as it is considered a separate issue.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 1, 2013, to March 1, 2017, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from working in a physical capacity.

The Board found that the appellant's appeal was untimely and denied it, as her substantive appeal was not received within one year of the October 2014 rating decision or more than 60 days after the March 17, 2017 SOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, CAD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left upper extremity (LUE) peripheral neuropathy and heart condition, to include ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease, is denied. The case was remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension due to procedural issues, specifically the lack of an SOC. The case will be returned to the AOJ for issuance of an SOC.