Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and a heart disability for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and heart disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current heart disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects due to incomplete development, including missing in-service hospitalization records. The Veteran's SSA disability benefits record is also requested.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, cardiac arrest due to coronary artery disease and hypertension, may be related to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent constipation, and recurrent hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's son is denied recognition as a claimant for VA death benefits due to lack of evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 or that he paid the last sickness and burial expenses.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left eye disorder, hypertension (secondary to a service-connected condition), and heart disorder.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease due to inadequate opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The Veteran asserts that his conditions are related to herbicide exposure during service, but the July 2021 opinion is based on an inaccurate factual premise regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and a stroke as secondary to these conditions due to herbicide exposure. The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died in April 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, atrial fibrillation, and sleep apnea are being remanded for further evaluation as the current severity of these conditions has not been determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart disability; and low-energy disability (CFS), as well as his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a heart condition is granted. The claims of service connection for stomach, back, and bilateral shoulder conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 21, 2016; from January 1, 2017 to January 3, 2017; from January 4, 2017 to August 29, 2017; and from August 30, 2017 to October 30, 2020.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his exposure during the Gulf War and its relation to his heart condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and sleep disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to hazardous chemicals during service. The Veteran was exposed to contaminated soil with various substances, but no herbicide agent exposure is conceded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent for CAD is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from August 28, 2019 to November 30, 2019 and SMC during the same period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and the current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion on the severity of his coronary artery disease for the period between January 3, 2015 and March 19, 2014 based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinosinusitis was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for a heart condition and chronic fatigue syndrome were both denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitated the aid and attendance of another, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.