Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial ratings for a heart disorder and scar has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and shortness of breath, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial ratings for a heart disorder and scar has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is dismissed because he is already receiving a 100% rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for increased ratings related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and scar secondary to the condition. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran's back disability, occasional dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, trouble swallowing with pain in the chest, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, light sensitivity, right lower extremity numbness, and left lower extremity numbness must be remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide agent exposure. The remand is necessary because the AOJ did not obtain digitized deck logs from the USS Newman K. Perry and failed to verify the Veteran's participation in repatriation flights between Vietnam and Hawaii.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection are being reopened, and the Board is remanding several issues including gastrointestinal disorders, lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, ED, sleep apnea, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's spouse is appealing for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of service connection for COPD, hypertension, OSA, and ASHD (CHF) are pending in another case docketed under Docket Number 190604-210513. The TDIU claim is remanded as the combined disability evaluation remains below the threshold for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's initial, temporary 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) following a myocardial infarction is granted from March 20, 2015 to November 1, 2023.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, CFS, dysphagia, GERD, headaches, a heart condition, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, and neurological problems. The case is remanded for further action on the left ankle disability.,Service connection was not granted for skin issues as they were considered undiagnosed Gulf War symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for basal cell skin cancer.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 6, 2019 as there was no effective date appeal filed within one year of the March 2021 HLR decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, but there are issues regarding the Veteran's military personnel records and whether he served in offshore eligible waters as defined by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The claim is being remanded to address these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. The Veteran's kidney condition and liver condition (other than hepatitis C) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings are set to April 18, 2021.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for his service-connected PTSD from March 15, 2018, to March 17, 2021. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted as of September 1, 2023.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, CAD, and hypertension are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for right knee disability.

The Veteran's death was not due to a pending claim for benefits, so the appeal for accrued benefits is dismissed.