Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to September 23, 2020.

The Veteran's initial claim for erectile dysfunction was denied in April 2018, but a compensable rating is not granted due to the absence of a penis deformity.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ were awarded effective August 31, 2010. The Veteran's initial claim for DM2 was denied in April 2018 with an effective date set at March 14, 2010.,The RO found clear and unmistakable error in the November 2013 rating decision that assigned a March 14, 2010 effective date for the initial 20% disability rating for DM2.

The Veteran died of respiratory failure, coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular accident, and atrial fibrillation. The Board denied service connection for cause of death, entitlement to a survivor's pension, and entitlement to accrued benefits as there was no indication that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient efforts in obtaining relevant medical records and for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development regarding his heart disease, Prinzmetal's angina, and status-post transurethral resection of the prostate. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease prior to December 14, 2017, and from April 1, 2018 is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for hypertensive heart disease as it is proximately due to his service-connected hypertension. The rating assigned remains at noncompensable (0%) for thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with hypertension.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, as well as effective dates for service connection. The main reasons are the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board has dismissed all claims of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions as the Veteran's authorized representative withdrew the appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's heart condition, specifically ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, is denied. However, hypertension due to presumed herbicide agent exposure during service in Korea is granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the period prior to June 13, 2018. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding service connection for various conditions due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for consideration of all evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's claims are pending as they relate to accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for chronic kidney disease stage III (claimed as kidney failure due to VA malfeasance/nonfeasance and kidney cancer due to VA not meeting standards of medical care).

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's cardiac function levels, and the TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the CAD rating issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, lumbosacral spine strain, ischemic heart disease, erectile dysfunction, congestive heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, and hiatal hernia, have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection is not granted as the Veteran's current disabilities are not presumed by exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, and heart disability (to include CAD) due to lack of evidence showing chronicity during or after service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's disabilities are considered to be related to natural aging processes rather than service.