Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for a heart disorder, including chronic ischemic heart disease, and hypertension.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease and prostate cancer residuals are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The PACT Act does not apply, but the Board finds credible evidence of exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of fatty liver cysts, residual(s) of prostatectomy, residual(s) of a stroke, polymyositis with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, ischemic heart disease status post bypass (claimed as triple heart bypass), and hypertension. The Board has therefore remanded these matters for further development.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and cerebral infarct (stroke) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been granted. The claims for service connection for Liver Condition and Heart Condition have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, while his coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) is rated at 30 percent. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and fibromyalgia (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness as a result of environmental hazards during the Persian Gulf War).,For hypertension, the Board found no current diagnosis. For hypertensive heart disease, the claim was not pursued due to lack of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea, which is necessary for determining service connection for a heart disorder.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with status post coronary artery bypass surgery and implanted cardiac pacemaker was rated at 30 percent prior to December 18, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Veteran's service connection for prostate cancer and cause of death (coronary artery disease) is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart block is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, and his heart disease claim related to stroke and residuals thereof is remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg disability, heart disability, and TBI as there is no competent and probative evidence indicating these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was rated at 30 percent prior to August 8, 2016. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on METs levels or LVEF.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD prior to May 23, 2014 is denied. A higher rating for CAD from May 23, 2014 to September 3, 2019 is also denied. An initial 10 percent rating is granted for a right leg scar. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective September 28, 2012, but the Board remanded the issue of whether he should have received a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing herbicide agent exposure during service.,There is also no post-service medical evidence of these conditions within the presumptive period.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and CAD, as the claims were not filed within one year of receipt of incomplete forms.,An earlier effective date of April 9, 2011 was granted for service connection of CAD due to its inclusion in a list of diseases presumptively associated with herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for surgical scarring related to CAD was also granted on the same date.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder as there is no current disability present to account for the reported symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and lack of rationale regarding service connection for congestive heart failure, status post coronary artery bypass.