Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, manifesting as chest pain, based on the presumption of service connection due to chronic disease manifested during or within one year after service separation.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and he did not meet the criteria for burial benefits as his death was not from nonservice-connected causes while hospitalized by VA. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service, and therefore cannot be presumed to have developed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability (coronary artery disease), or skin disability (basal cell carcinoma with dysplastic nevi) as a result of such exposure. As such, these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation, essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease due to potential exposure to firefighting foam, diesel oil, and fumes during military service. A VA medical opinion is needed to assess whether these conditions are related to toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinion and a need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and onset of the Veteran's ischemic heart disease.

Service connection granted for a right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and atrial fibrillation. The right knee disorder is secondary to the service-connected left knee strain. The left shoulder disorder was incurred during active duty service. Atrial fibrillation is either directly related to service or due to pre-existing stomach ulcers.,Service connection granted for a left shoulder disorder. The condition began in service and has persisted since then.,Service connection granted for atrial fibrillation. The condition originated during service, possibly due to the Veteran's perforated duodenal stomach ulcer surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptoms since separation from service.,Service connection for insomnia disorder prior to November 3, 2020 is denied as the Veteran is currently compensated for his sleep impairment through service-connected cervical and lumbosacral strain.,The appeal of service connection for insomnia disorder as due to heart disorder from November 3, 2020 forward is dismissed as moot since the Veteran has been granted service connection for SSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for chest disorder, heart disorder, and edema in feet and hands due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's heart disease, including ischemic heart disease, is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of his claim.,PTSD service connection is granted with an effective date of April 25, 2014, which was when he filed his informal claim for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart disorder, head tremors, and a nerve disorder due to insufficient evidence or procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's lung cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be caused by his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted at a 60 percent level from February 14, 2012 to November 22, 2017. Effective date of SMC based on housebound status is also granted starting from February 14, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, but remanded for further evaluation of his cause of death and contributory causes.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer in remission status post radical prostatectomy, diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve diabetic neuropathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic neuropathy has been granted with effective dates of July 15, 2019, February 6, 2019, and March 29, 2019 respectively. These conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) in Thailand during the Vietnam era.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was initially denied in June 2002 and became final. The Veteran filed a new Intent to File on February 6, 2019, which led to his claims being reopened and granted with an effective date of February 6, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.

An effective date of January 1, 2022, is granted for a 70 percent rating for PTSD with depression.,An effective date of September 17, 2022, is granted for a 60 percent rating for IHD.,No earlier effective date is granted for the award of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.,An effective date of January 11, 2010, but no earlier, is granted for service connection for a surgical scar associated with IHD.,An effective date earlier than August 10, 2022, is denied for service connection for hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension due to a lack of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions, and failure to show manifestations within one year of discharge from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy of any extremity and IHD. The denial was based on a lack of current disability, as no evidence showed the Veteran had these conditions by October 1969.