Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 60 percent prior to February 23, 2017. The evidence showed METs greater than 5 but less than 7 resulting in fatigue and dyspnea.,On February 23, 2017, the Veteran had a rating of 100 percent for CAD due to workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and disability ratings, effectively dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) are being remanded due to the lack of substantial compliance with prior Board directives. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The decision on appeal is to remand the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to unclear findings in his previous examination. The reduction of the disability rating for coronary artery disease from 100% to 60% was found improper, and the higher rating is restored.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since the beginning of his claim, and he has a 100% combined rating for COPD and other service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss and CAD are both rated below their maximum possible ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is granted prior to June 19, 2018. The case is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed cardiac conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in September 2018 and another in August 2019, but these did not provide sufficient information on the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty. The claim for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act.,Service connection for hypertension is granted based on a March 6, 2017, claim. However, this issue is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service-connected coronary artery disease.,The Veteran's melanoma claim is remanded as the Board needs more information about its relationship to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, specifically whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service. The current evidence does not support the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking his death to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for atrial fibrillation and a TDIU prior to February 11, 2022. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the amended rating criteria for DC 7010 due to lack of episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia with more than four episodes per year documented by ECG or Holter monitor. The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2022.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claim of failure-to-treat entitlement for her heart condition, as the previous opinions did not fully comply with the remand directives.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, which is presumed related to herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Coronary Artery Disease was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 50% for PTSD, and the criteria for a higher rating are not met. For Coronary Artery Disease, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10% prior to August 23, 2016, or in excess of 60% thereafter.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service and its relation to his current CAD. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if he was exposed to herbicides in Panama and whether this exposure is related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's IHD is currently rated at 60 percent since October 21, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease either caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development and an updated opinion.