Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for prostate hypertrophy, gastrointestinal disorder, kidney stones, skin disorders, pseudogout, anemia, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals. Service connection has been granted for coronary artery disease and hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure in Guam or its territorial waters from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, based on the opinion that these conditions contribute to or cause the erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for medical examinations and nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his death.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disability. The decision on diabetes is due to lack of herbicide exposure, while the heart disability case requires further examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation was rated at 30 percent prior to April 10, 2023. The Board found no evidence of more than a 30 percent disability level and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease were found to be contributory causes of his death from metastatic cancer, leading to the grant of DIC benefits.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his elevated cholesterol levels in service contributed to his current condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an increased disability rating for coronary artery disease and a TDIU prior to July 1, 2015, as these issues have already been adjudicated in the legacy review system.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for GERD, a heart condition, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD with anxiety and depression have been granted. The Board has considered new evidence that was not previously of record at the time of the prior final rating decision.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the Veteran did not have any pending increased rating claims prior to February 6, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of ischemic heart disease and earlier effective date for PTSD were denied. The claim for TDIU benefits was also denied as the issue had not been raised prior to the issuance of the July 2012 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, arthritis of all joints, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential exposure to toxic chemicals during service. The Veteran is also requested to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of his claimed multi-joint arthritis, chronic pain, and gout condition.

Your claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been granted, and you are now receiving the highest possible rating. The appeal is dismissed as your representative withdrew it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is granted, based on the PACT Act. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 14, 2016.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted with an effective date of January 29, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, heart disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and residuals of a forehead laceration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease due to concerns about the accuracy of the USS Ranger's location during a specific date. The Veteran believes he is entitled to presumptive service connection based on his alleged exposure to herbicide agents while aboard the USS Ranger.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and heart condition due to incomplete records, particularly those from periods of active duty prior to May 1993. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.