Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board denied the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease for the purpose of retroactive benefits as there was no diagnosis of ischemic heart disease during the Veteran's lifetime.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart disease) based on herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.,Effective dates were set at February 14, 2003, for the grants of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of heart failure symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disorder, heart disorder, urethral disorder, fatigue disorder, and sleep disorder. The AOJ will obtain additional medical records and schedule VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding records and additional medical opinions are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding the loss of use of both feet, meet the criteria for an award of aid and attendance benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). This entitles him to special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).

The Board has granted a TDIU due to the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hearing loss disabilities, including resultant dizziness and imbalance, rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that a TERA opinion is needed due to the potential PFAS exposure at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis have been dismissed.,A new claim for service connection for a heart condition, including coronary artery disease with triple bypass and stents, has been granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

Service connection for heart condition, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and neuropathy in the left and right feet is denied.,Service connection for right rotator cuff tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and vertigo is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining additional private treatment records and issuing a Statement of the Case for the increased rating issue.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and chronic systolic heart failure, is being remanded for further examination and opinion. The TDIU claim due to service-connected disorders prior to March 15, 2021, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD, status-post MI and PCI, is rated at 60 percent from July 3, 2023. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, PTSD, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims are not currently decided.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, skin/skin rash disorder, diabetes mellitus II, heart disease, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to May 4, 2021 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability secondary to hypertension and heart disability secondary to diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed under the modernized appeal system due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected. The heart disability issue is remanded for further action.