Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that he requires daily assistance due to his service-connected conditions. The decision also dismissed the Veteran's appeal for special monthly pension.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, and chronic kidney disease due to herbicide agent exposure are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for hypertension under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition and related disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a cardiac disorder, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf and on a secondary basis. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and stent placement was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence and because he did not provide private treatment records or attend his VA examinations. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but missed his VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a right knee examination to determine if his current rating is accurate, an examination for his ingrown toenail condition to assess functional impairment during infection or post-surgical intervention, and a VA examination for his left toe condition. Additionally, he requires a heart and chest pain examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. His CAD rating is restored to 60 percent effective November 1, 2016. The right and left shoulder disorders are remanded for further examination. Service connection for hearing loss in the left ear is denied. Service connection for stroke, balance disorder, and cognitive disorder (presumably due to TBI) remains on appeal.

The Veteran's CAD is now rated at 60 percent effective April 10, 2023. Prior to this date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to work as a mechanic until his retirement in 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not show significant impairment due to his heart disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, CAD, and OSA has been granted. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are September 20, 2016.,Issues regarding ratings for radiculopathy of the LUE, cervical spondylosis with DJD, DDD, and IVDS, and peripheral neuropathy of the RUE have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to radiation during military service at U.S. Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his exposure to toxic substances during service and their relationship to his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The VA is required to provide a medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and the conceded toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, but the issue of housebound status is moot due to this grant. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, hypothyroidism, and hypertension, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease (including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, status post coronary stenting, and congestive heart failure) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's deployment in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The AOJ is instructed to investigate whether members of the 1st Mobile Communications Group were sent on temporary duty assignments to Vietnam during the relevant time period.