Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be associated with in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart condition, caused by service-connected hypertension, is granted. The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is granted a 20% rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy prior to November 11, 2022, and as of that date, are both granted a 20% rating. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Guam, as provided by the PACT Act. The condition was previously denied but now meets the criteria under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, but the AOJ must readjudicate the claim on the merits.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on presumed exposure to an herbicide agent in Vietnam. His PTSD and ischemic heart disease are denied, with the issues of service connection for hypertension (non-presumptive) and other conditions remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and skin cancer are remanded for further review based on his in-service exposure to herbicides. The claims will be reconsidered with the presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, which may be associated with his service. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's CAD status post myocardial infarction is rated at 100 percent from April 1, 2021 due to the ability to perform with a workload of 3 METs or less.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetes mellitus type 2 and congestive heart failure and hypertensive heart disease, finding that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met under any theory of entitlement.

Service connection is granted for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for unspecified depressive disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis status post total replacement, left knee osteoarthritis status post meniscal tear repair, right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear status post total replacement, left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, right lateral epicondylitis, left lateral epicondylitis, neck pain, lumbar spine DJD, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits associated with a VA medical appointment on February 28, 2017 is granted because the evidence shows he submitted his claim within 30 days of completing the travel.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected CAD disability.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for increased ratings for the Veteran's heart disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). As such, the Board is dismissing these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, CAD, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability may be related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's neck arthritis may be related to his military service. Further development is needed to obtain all available service treatment records and VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a VA examination considering the Veteran's Gulf War exposure. The heart disability claim is pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The reduction in the rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective May 11, 2018, was improper and the 40 percent disability rating is restored.,Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability is remanded.

The Board has ordered a paid and due audit to determine the appropriate amounts of overpayment for VA pension benefits, clarify dependents' payments from 1993 to 2004, and confirm repayment status for a 1997 overpayment. The appeal is remanded for these actions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and has remanded for further development regarding his increased rating claim for ischemic heart disease.