Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,From August 14, 2018, the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident, which the VA determined were related to pre-existing conditions such as diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and coronary artery disease. The Appellant applied for DIC benefits after her husband died in January 2014, but she did not receive them until July 20, 2017 due to a one-year waiting period. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for respiratory and heart conditions due to incomplete medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The VA is required to obtain additional opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents or paint fumes.

The Veteran's death was due to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to have been caused by his service in Vietnam. The appeal for DIC benefits and burial allowances based on this cause of death is granted. Additionally, the appellant's reimbursement request for $250 for transportation expenses related to the burial is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance or special adaptive equipment due to his physical limitations and inability to use limbs effectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion in the December 2021 VA examination report. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left atrium dilation, atrial fibrillation, heart murmur, and coronary artery disease calcification due to their inextricably intertwined with his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's heart condition, atherosclerosis, is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure.,Right and left lower extremity claudication are granted as secondary to the service-connected atherosclerosis.,Hyperglycemia (claimed as diabetes mellitus type II) is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Right and left lower extremity neuropathy, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension was denied in a previous decision, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no link between the condition and service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, left lower extremity neuropathy as a residual of cold injury, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease. The initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from January 12, 2007 to October 2011 was denied.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected due to in-service prostatitis.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is service-connected. The Board found that the current right shoulder condition was proximately caused by his service-connected left shoulder disorder.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease is service-connected. The Board found that it may be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis and medications.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, diverticulosis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's disabilities may be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, but further examination is needed to determine if this aggravation is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his heart disease and any in-service injury or event.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's heart condition, which led to a pacemaker implantation, may be related to service despite previous negative findings. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board granted service connection for a cardiovascular (CV) disorder, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand under the PACT Act.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service scarlet and rheumatic fevers.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disability and heart disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as further medical examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were not incurred in service, nor are they related to noise exposure or any other service-connected condition.,There is no evidence of hypertension during service. The Veteran currently has hypertension but his STRs do not show any complaints, treatment, or symptoms related to this condition.