Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or event related to CAD and the evidence does not support a finding that CAD is etiologically related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and further development is needed, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, and DMII due to outstanding VA and private treatment records needing development. Additionally, a new VA medical opinion is needed to address whether these conditions are related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which includes esophageal cancer, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, right lower leg numbness and stiffness, and left lower leg numbness and stiffness as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, a skin disability, and sleep apnea as secondary to CAD or peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The leg stents claim is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total convalescent rating due to his service-connected coronary artery disease was denied because the surgery did not require at least one month of convalescence or result in severe postoperative residuals.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction were not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for these conditions was denied as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year following separation from service.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer with removal of prostate surgery residuals, and hypertension are all granted as they were due to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao RTAFB.,The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU, Dependents' Educational Assistance, and an increased PTSD rating are denied.,An effective date prior to January 31, 2019, is not warranted for the grant of a TDIU or Dependents' Educational Assistance. The Board found that a TDIU was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the Veteran's claim on January 31, 2019.

An effective date earlier than September 23, 2020, is denied for a 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD).,An earlier March 20, 2020 effective date, but no earlier, is granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).,From September 23, 2020, SMC at the P-2 level is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to fully develop the claim regarding possible exposure to herbicide agents and chemicals during service. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, as well as potential secondary service connection for depression causing heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which included acute myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular conditions, was caused by his preexisting heart murmur that was aggravated by service. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted, and a temporary 100% rating followed by a permanent 60% rating was assigned from December 7, 2014 to February 4, 2017.,From June 1, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease remained pending. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 60% rating.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the appellant's request to withdraw them.

The Veteran's request for an extension of the period to file a Notice of Disagreement regarding his heart condition claim was dismissed because the appeal is pending and has not been withdrawn.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,PTSD is granted as it was caused by an in-service stressor.