Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including CVA, erectile dysfunction, heart condition, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. Service connection was granted for psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, major depressive disorder, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's heart conditions, specifically his claimed ischemic heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aneurysm of ascending aorta, aortic stenosis, pericardial effusion, septal thickening, coronary catheterization, and valve surgery).

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating under DC 7319.,Prior to March 29, 2018, the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not rated higher than 10 percent due to lack of evidence meeting criteria for a higher rating.,From March 29, 2018, to July 8, 2020, the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for gout was denied. The issue of service connection for a heart disability due to in-service herbicide exposure is remanded, and the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart disability is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus, both of which were related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiner found no nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service or exposure to contaminated water.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and a heart condition, both claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a heart condition (claimed as coronary artery disease), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not. The appeal was remanded for additional development on the headache condition and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetic nephropathy, have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities. This has been determined to preclude locomotion without regular and constant use of an assistive device, leading to a grant for specially adapted housing. However, this legally precludes a separate special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disability or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for traumatic brain injury, heart disability (secondary to protein C blood disorder), neck disability, psychiatric disability, and sleep apnea. The appeals are pending further medical evaluation and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for fibromyalgia/Gulf War Syndrome, diabetes secondary to substance abuse induced insulin resistance, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a heart disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, but she was exposed to acoustic trauma in service. A VA examination is needed to determine if her current hearing loss and coronary artery disease are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's heart disability is being reviewed for potential secondary service connection to his psychiatric disability. Right and left knee disabilities are also being reviewed for potential secondary service connection to his thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for CAD with atrial fibrillation and hypertension, as these issues have been granted in a prior decision.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (lower abdominal pain and tenderness) is now granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a CVA and an increased rating for CAD prior to October 19, 2022 have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current CVA is related to his service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease, is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of hypertension which is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. An effective date of October 15, 2017 has been assigned for the TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities with osteomyelitis of the great toes, each including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 25, 2018 to April 17, 2019. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on multiple service-connected disabilities.