Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, but has remanded his claim for service connection of a stroke as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not properly address the issues of increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease after March 4, 2014. The AOJ also failed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and conduct necessary examinations. These errors require remand.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, which may affect how CAD is rated. The examiner needs to determine if symptoms and diagnostic findings can be attributed to service-connected CAD or other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not caused by in-service herbicide exposure. The decision also finds that the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's heart disorder, status-post myocardial infarction with stent placement, is the result of his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The Board finds that this condition was caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability and grants service connection for it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypothyroidism were denied in September 2021. The appeals for these issues have been dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182 within one year of being notified of the denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, heart disability, and hypertension due to duty performed in National Guard service. The VA needs to obtain records of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods, provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability, and ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for his service-connected Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is granted. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic disability, and diabetes mellitus type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange during service.,The Board is unable to make a determination on these issues without first obtaining further information from the Veteran's service records and medical history.

The Board has granted service connection for a right and left knee disability, as well as sleep apnea and hypertension. The heart disability claim was denied.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and hypertension based on in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for myocardial infarction due to inadequate examination and lack of supporting rationale.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension was less likely than not related to service and did not arise within a year after separation from service.,The Board also denied service connection for heart disorder, concluding that it was less likely than not related to service due to the absence of evidence linking the condition to service or any compensable degree with a year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for migraine headaches, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance during the period at issue, leading to a denial of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD, bilateral ankle sprains, and lumbar spine disabilities.,The evidence does not support an increased rating for GERD with hiatal hernia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty, including kidney disability, heart disability, blood clot, skin disability, and hiatal hernia. The VA examiner is requested to review the Veteran's file and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to in-service exposures.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for fibrocystic disease of the right breast, a heart disorder (including mitral valve prolapse), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression). The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show any of the criteria necessary to warrant a higher rating.