Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and hypertensive heart disease, is proximately caused by his service-connected hypertension. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart disability, including myocarditis and CAD, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke are not service-connected.,There is no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, and a lung disorder. The conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his CAD with hypertensive heart disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms more nearly approximating a 100 percent disability rating under any iteration of DC 7005 during the appeal period, and thus denied the claim. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal of the evaluation for coronary artery disease (CAD), claimed as ischemic heart disease (IHD) prior to September 26, 2019 is dismissed due to the withdrawal by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease) and hypertension are now presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure under the PACT Act.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, malignant melanoma, and valvular heart disease. The claim of service connection for prostate cancer is remanded due to a failure to provide an examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that she did not file a formal claim until December 20, 2022. The Board concluded that there was no clear evidence of nonreceipt of instructions on how to file a DIC claim and that the appellant had not communicated intent to file before December 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, chloracne, carpal tunnel syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, right wrist fracture, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 19, 2023. Effective from June 19, 2023, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined schedular rating of 100 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to accept a Higher-Level Review (HLR) form for skin cancer, lung cancer, and heart disorder claims due to untimeliness. The HLR Request was not timely filed within one year of the last decision on these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease due to a lack of current diagnosis, despite presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has found a duty to assist error in the August 2023 rating decision and has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II have been denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service, and the conditions are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) and prostate cancer are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of his spouse as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award was denied because he did not submit a complete claim within one year of receiving notification that he might be eligible for additional benefits.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The issue of service connection for a heart disability, other than hypertensive heart disease, is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) using the wrong form. The Veteran was notified and given the option to proceed with traditional appeal or seek de novo review by a Decision Review Officer (DRO).