Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot since December 21, 2021, due to the receipt of a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation (SMC). The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 21, 2021, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development regarding his periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The VA examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of any sinus/allergy disability, ear disability (manifested by discharge and recurrent cerumen impactions), heart disability, and hypertension.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service malaria episodes and his later heart condition.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from May 10, 2006 to January 21, 2019 and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective September 9, 2008 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

Service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension is granted. The Veteran's CVA and hypertension from October 17, 2012 to August 9, 2022 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for malaria, a heart disability related to malaria, and an eye disability related to malaria.,The Veteran's current conditions are considered at least as likely due to his in-service malaria.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with associated peripheral neuropathy and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Effective November 3, 2022, the Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for his disability rating.

The claim for service connection for DM due to herbicide exposure is reopened and granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy and CAD due to herbicide exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden of establishing an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left trunk due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or relationship to service.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeals to reopen the claims for service connection for heart disability, vertigo, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was reopened and granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. His current heart conditions are also considered presumptively related to this exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective from December 9, 2016. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also granted and effective from the same date.

The Veteran's death extinguished his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded issues related to heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (including depression), hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart disability, specifically his exposure to contaminants and asbestos.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for heart condition, insomnia, and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities are remanded due to procedural issues.