Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has also been granted for IBS, with the presumption of exposure to Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since November 21, 2017. He also has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more and he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation under the housebound rate.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that his exposure to herbicide agents during active service in Thailand is presumed. The effective date of this decision is August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 100 percent effective April 2, 2013. A separate combined rating of 60 percent for other service-connected conditions grants TDIU based on PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, was rated at 30 percent and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities that resulted in an overall combined rating of 80 percent. However, he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted service connection as it is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the condition is also linked to his already service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for additional development, including increased ratings for PTSD and TBI-related cephalgia, as well as service connection claims. The Veteran's mental health records are incomplete, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his headaches.

The Veteran's death was due to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a heart disorder, joint and muscle pain, and hearing loss as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. Service connection for heart disease is granted under the PACT Act, but the case is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for other conditions (HTN, left ear hearing loss, gout in joints, and spinal stenosis) is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, with a 10 percent rating from November 29, 2006. The rating was then raised to 30 percent effective February 15, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for sinus disorder, peripheral artery disease (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps), hypertension, and heart disorder.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or chronic condition related to these disorders that can be linked to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, liver disability, and heart disability. The claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding no current diagnosis of such condition and noting that there is no evidence of a compensable level of disability to warrant presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 4.104.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disability, heart disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to potential development needs.,Service connection is not currently established for any of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an exercise-based cardiac stress test, which is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for CAD prior to March 17, 2020 is dismissed due to the appellant's death. The only remaining issue was service connection for a skin condition which has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's valve replacement surgery and its residuals, including surgical scars, are caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease. The VA examiner is requested to provide a rationale for their conclusions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 26, 2018.