Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's heart disability, including hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and myocardial bridging, was found to have begun during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to January 20, 2021, is dismissed as moot due to the receipt of a total disability rating.

The Veteran's current hypertensive heart disease is related to his military service and has been granted. The claims for GERD with gastritis and diverticulosis are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder other than hypertension and right ear hearing loss, finding no current disability or link to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating was incomplete at the time of his death in May 2017, and no completed formal claim was filed. Therefore, accrued benefits cannot be awarded.

The Veteran's left and right carotid artery stenosis are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His GERD is denied a rating greater than 30 percent, but he was granted TDIU from April 24, 2018, to October 26, 2022.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted presumptive service connection under the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. Service connection for a heart disability and prostate cancer prior to this date remains remanded.,Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current heart disability and prostate cancer are related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by stage IV colorectal cancer, but the claims for service connection are remanded due to pending unresolved issues.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, is presumed to be related to his service due to Agent Orange exposure. His heart disability remains remanded for further examination and rating consideration. The need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, left upper and right upper extremity neuropathy, left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted. The Veteran's DM is remanded for increased rating consideration.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent from February 16, 2017. The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for the period starting on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling VA examinations and lack of medical opinions. The cases are now pending further review.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new requirements under the PACT Act for toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) examinations and opinions, as the Veteran had qualifying deployments in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a left shoulder disability due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing service in Vietnam or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, heart disease, cataracts secondary to diabetes, glaucoma secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as not related to service or due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and respiratory disorder due to potential exposure to burn pits during his Southwest Asia deployment. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, review the Veteran's STRs, and schedule him for TERA-specific examinations.

The Board has granted a 60 percent initial disability rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) for the entire appeal period, based on evidence showing that his condition resulted in a workload of greater than 3 metabolic equivalents (METs), but not greater than 5 METS, causing dyspnea, dizziness, fatigue, and angina.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate medical opinions and will require a new opinion from a physician or cardiologist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran submitted a timely substantive appeal for his claims of service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, and depression. The issues are now remanded for further development.