Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues which were remanded. The new and material evidence has reopened several petitions to reopen previous denied claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of this appeal with a separate appeal regarding severance claims. The TDIU appeal will be deferred until the adjudication of the severance claims.

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist has not been satisfied and additional development is needed before the claims can be properly adjudicated. The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, hypertension, and heart disability are being remanded due to outstanding records and incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner must provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, effective from September 18, 2022. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure the VA fulfilled its duty to assist in substantiating his appeal for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran who served in active military from October 1962 to December 1964.

The Veteran's right hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathies are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and CAD are granted increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service in Korea did not fall within the presumptive period for herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service at Royal Thai Air Force Bases (RTAFBs) and granted service connection for his cause of death on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to August 21, 2017, and after that date, was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for a left knee disability is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for coronary artery disease from December 20, 2012 to August 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and a heart disability, including as due to herbicide agent exposure. The case is returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Claims for low back, neck, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bump on her head, bipolar disorder, heart condition, and IBS was denied. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,A temporary 100 percent rating for right partial knee replacement from November 27, 2017, to July 18, 2018, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), and a heart condition have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There are no current diagnoses of tinnitus, OSA, HTN, or a heart condition in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation throughout the current appeal period, starting on September 29, 2017.

The Veteran's heart disability and Parkinson's disease are remanded for further development, including verifying service dates and obtaining a VA medical opinion on the etiology of his heart disabilities. The claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee disability, left heel cold injury, mood disorder with anxiety, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure as the appellant withdrew her appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.