Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including colon polyp, bilateral knee pain, loss of memory, erectile dysfunction, partial loss of eyesight, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease were denied.,Service connection was not granted on a presumptive basis due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also denied, as it has been rated at the lowest possible level of noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to the need for further investigation into his exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service exposure to petroleum gas.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and heart disability due to in-service high cholesterol, as there is an open question regarding whether the Veteran had a diagnosed heart condition prior to his death. The AOJ must obtain additional evidence related to five coronary artery bypass grafts documented in August 2018 private treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied a higher rating for service-connected coronary artery disease and dismissed an earlier effective date claim.

The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease, including as secondary to a service-connected major depressive disorder and due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The effective dates are set at September 3, 2020, as the earliest date an Intent to File was received by VA.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 16, 2022 for the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea with obstructive and central components as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is denied. The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft is denied. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for residual surgical scar anterior chest is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 100% rating for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is granted, effective from February 17, 2020. Additionally, the Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate is also granted.

The Veteran's lung cancer and ischemic heart disease, which were service-connected, contributed to his death from multifocal pneumonia. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, hyperplasia of prostate, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary abnormalities (dyspnea), and skin cancer due to a lack of clear evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's unit was not confirmed as being within or near the DMZ.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post bypass graft is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as they were found to be duplicative.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease/coronary heart disease (CAD) was granted a 60 percent disability rating, as evidenced by MET testing showing symptoms between 3.1 and 5 METs.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disorder has been withdrawn. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation and clarification of the Veteran's conditions.,Issues related to right hip, right shoulder, left hip, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder (to include CAD), sleep disorder (to include OSA), and chronic fatigue are being remanded for additional examination and analysis.