Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, status post stenting as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents has been granted due to the presumption of such exposure in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability due to exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and foot disabilities are not entitled to earlier effective dates, but his TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of more than 30 percent disabling for valvular heart disease with endocarditis is remanded due to evidence of worsening. The Board also directs that the Veteran be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 6, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has decided to remand the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained and considered.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a heart disability (arrhythmias) are granted. The claim for increased rating of hypertension is denied, as the evidence does not show diastolic or systolic blood pressure readings that meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The appeal will be reconsidered after verifying this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, specifically whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or presumed environmental exposures.

The Veteran's PTSD, IHD, and Hypertension have been granted service connection. He is rated at 70% for PTSD, 60% for IHD, and 0% for Hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether any other heart disabilities, excluding ischemic heart disease, contributed to the Veteran's death. The appellant and her representative are requesting an additional addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical guidance and failure to adjudicate service connection for heart disabilities beyond CAD. The Veteran's heart disabilities are being evaluated in relation to his service-connected shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to provide an updated opinion addressing changes in rating criteria since November 2021 and the impact of the Veteran's symptoms on his disability picture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radical prostatectomy, and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.,Service connection is established for these conditions under the provisions of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act (PACT Act) of 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a brain tumor due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's exposure during his period of ACDUTRA.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted, and the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for a stroke as secondary to his ischemic heart disease, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted as the condition is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents and the condition did not onset within one year of service separation.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 5, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected heart condition and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or sustain substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted on a schedular basis. Prior to October 28, 2021, the Veteran was not in receipt of a 100% rating for his prostate cancer, so entitlement to a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is remanded.