Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for venous insufficiency of the right lower extremity was reopened, and from March 27, 2018, he is granted a rating of 30 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. His claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, and venous insufficiency were denied, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or coronary artery disease. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and a skin condition, finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange in Okinawa and his conditions are related to this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cerebral vascular accident and lower extremity weakness, as well as their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus II and ischemic heart disease on a basis other than the PACT Act, finding that exposure to herbicide agents during service in Guam is presumed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions including right knee, left knee, back, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy in bilateral extremities, hypertension, and heart condition due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, hearing loss, tinnitus, a foot disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a foot disorder, a heart disorder, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, preceded by other heart and liver issues. The Appellant contends these were related to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea during service. The Board finds the existing medical opinion inadequate and requires a new one to address the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, pain and numbness of the upper extremities, kidney failure, and heart disability (claimed as open-heart surgery) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed aortic aneurysm. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left partial nephrectomy and ischemic heart disease/atherosclerosis, are not considered in determining whether the aortic aneurysm was caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder has been remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss are remanded. The Veteran is also requested to provide evidence of toxic exposure risk activities in service, as the PACT Act requires a medical opinion on the likelihood of a nexus between his conditions and such exposures.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his mid-chest scar prior to November 26, 2019 is dismissed. The Board grants the TDIU from July 22, 2011 to November 25, 2019 based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease. The claim will be reconsidered with a more complete medical evaluation.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for scars, status post prostatectomy and lymph node dissection is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for heart disease is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for lipoma is dismissed.,Tinnitus has been granted as service connected.,Hypertension has been granted as service connected due to the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. For his heart condition, a noncompensable rating is granted prior to November 9, 2021, and a 10 percent rating is granted from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Board also found that a new examination is needed in several cases.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted beginning January 1, 2020 due to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), which has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and heart disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity knee and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, together with organic diseases such as coronary artery disease, sinusitis, and hypertension, result in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affect balance and propulsion. The Board grants entitlement to specially adapted housing but dismisses the claim for a special home adaptation grant.