Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU due to the need for further development by VA's Director, Compensation Service. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for a heart disability and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including ventricular arrhythmia or valvular heart disease, due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding of current chronic disability related to active service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death and denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's coronary artery disease and his military service.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is presumed, but there was no current diagnosis or link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 100% disability rating throughout the appeal period, effective from April 9, 2019.

The Veteran was awarded SMC(o) based on multiple service-connected disabilities, and SMC(r)(1) for need of aid and attendance. The Board found the criteria for higher levels of SMC were not met.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), and residuals of a mouth injury have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease including coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension due to incomplete records from the service department. The Veteran's STRs and Naval hospital records are requested.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration. The issues include increased ratings for left knee flexion and extension, a separate evaluation of instability in the left knee, service connection for a right knee condition secondary to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and service connection for a heart condition (other than hypertension).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, specifically addressing in-service pneumonitis and its relation to current heart issues.

The Veteran's daughter, who is over 23 years old and not a child of the Veteran, does not have standing to pursue her father's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence that she bore any expenses related to his last sickness or burial. As such, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam. Service connection for essential tremors is remanded as the evidence is insufficient.,Service connection for cellulitis of the right side of the face/jaw is denied.

The Veteran's heart condition was found to not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter. The Board denied his claims as there is no evidence that meets the specific criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current heart disability etiologically related to events in service.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent effective April 30, 2019. The claim of service connection for a heart disorder has been reopened and granted due to new evidence indicating potential inservice onset. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and acquired psychiatric disorders are all granted on a presumptive basis.,The Veteran's right knee, left knee, left shoulder, left hand, and left wrist disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claims at the November 2021 Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various symptoms, including joint pain, muscle pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory problems, cardiovascular symptoms (other than coronary artery disease), gastrointestinal problems, and headaches. The reasons include incomplete service treatment records and the need to obtain new medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability (other than ischemic heart disease) and residuals of a stroke, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on an accrued basis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his CAD from September 1, 2016 to February 15, 2017 and thereafter is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining CVs of VA examiners who conducted previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD, increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew from appeal these issues.