Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's IHD symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating, and his PTSD symptoms from March 24, 2016 to August 10, 2017 met the criteria for an initial disability rating of 70 percent. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot as both IHD and PTSD are now rated at or above their respective maximum ratings.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during his active naval service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia with cocaine use disorder.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, heart disability, and TBI and residuals thereof are denied.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for Meniere's disease and remanded the issue of service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease (claimed as irregular heartbeat).

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's lung condition and its relationship to service, including potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran needs to provide medical records supporting his claims of lung cancer or cancerous nodules.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service herbicide exposure. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of polyps, heart disability, right eye disability, skin disability, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep disorder.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's conditions and his period of service.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, but granted a 10 percent rating for one chest scar post-CABG surgery from March 7, 2016.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as sick sinus syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, is not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unavailability of service records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms in service will be considered, as well as those of his buddy.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to a VA catheter ablation procedure. The Veteran's representative requested compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but the Board found no additional disability as a result of the procedure.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, cardiovascular disability (including hypertensive heart disease, persistent tachycardia, and left ventricular hypertrophy), and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,While the Veteran has current diagnoses of a cardiovascular disability and hypertension, there is no evidence showing that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board finds that continuity of symptomatology cannot be established for these disabilities as they were not noted during service.,The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis was shown during service and has been linked to a current diagnosis based on post-service treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and remanded the issue of ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claims are not related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Veteran's service-connected valvular heart disease with heart valve replacement is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, as they were not adequately addressed in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiac disability due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The VA is directed to obtain all of the Veteran's service treatment records related to his National Guard active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service, schedule him for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, and readjudicate the claims based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD and CAD were denied as the increase in disability was not ascertainable within one year prior to the filing of their respective claims.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active service in Thailand.

The Board denied the appeal regarding whether termination of benefits for CAD and PTSD was proper, concluding that the Veteran's DD-214 was altered and he was not a POW.