Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, and a mutating growth as there was no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or other in-service causation.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc/joint disease and claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a request for an updated TDIU application.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease remains March 14, 2018.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective February 24, 2021. The effective date for the TDIU is based on his increased rating for PTSD filed on February 24, 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (COPD and pulmonary nodules) and a cardiac disability (valvular heart disease, bradycardia, congestive heart failure) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's hypertension claim has been remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2020 VA examination and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the December 2018 rating decision was not timely perfected, and the Board has waived this issue in order to address the merits of his claims.

The Board has remanded both claims for the Veteran to be afforded appropriate VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected residuals of blood clots in the right lung and left leg. The ratings will need to conform to the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to August 30, 2016, for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the severity and symptomatology of the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for an earlier effective date prior to August 30, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy, all potentially related to herbicide exposure during his time at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides.

Service connection is granted for right shoulder strain, right hip arthritis, ingrown toenails on both big toes, bronchitis, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,The claim of service connection for coronary artery disease is also granted.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective August 10, 2022. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as the service-connected prostate cancer alone grants a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's heart condition is not related to active service or exposure to herbicide agents.,Diabetes was not shown during service, did not develop within one year of separation from service, and is not related to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's diabetes developed more than one year after separation from service.,Arthritis is not related to active service and did not develop within one year of separation from service.,The chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia) is not related to active service and did not develop within one year of separation from service.,Left ear hearing loss was not shown during service, and the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss does not meet VA standards for a disability. The examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to an event or injury during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct, which led to his discharge. The VA will also ensure that all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for DMII, PTSD, and CAD have been granted. The claim for service connection for CAD is granted under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The claims for DMII and PTSD are remanded due to lack of verification of stressors.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for DMII has been granted, with the issue being granted under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. The claim for service connection for CAD is also granted under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Guam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, increased rating for right knee disability, separate rating for right knee limitation extension, and left foot disability have been denied. The Board found no current evidence of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as an opinion from a clinician regarding the severity of his condition prior to his death.