Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to January 2, 2017 and a 60 percent rating beginning May 1, 2017.,The Veteran's prostate cancer was granted a 60 percent rating beginning February 4, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's causes of death (CAD and DMII) were etiologically related to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including obesity. The examiner must consider whether the Veteran's decreased physical activity affected his obesity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a heart disability, including coronary artery disease due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic B-cell leukemia and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure during his Vietnam Era service. The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's right ninth rib fracture residuals are not compensable.,The Veteran's left knee disability and coronary artery disease with angina may be related to service, but further evidence is needed for a determination.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was due $38,398.24 in retroactive benefits for the Veteran's coronary artery disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.816. However, the VA Regional Office (RO) determined that this amount was incorrect because the Veteran received military retired pay and could not have concurrently received VA disability compensation.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD with renal insufficiency was denied prior to November 9, 2018. From November 9, 2018 to December 3, 2018, a 100% rating was granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected heart and kidney conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, low testosterone with erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder, and heart disease. The need for VA examinations in these cases is indicated.

The Veteran's death in June 2007 was caused by multiple injuries, with hypertension contributing substantially to the cause of his death. The Board granted DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder diagnosed as an anxiety disorder have been granted. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an earlier effective date for total disability rating for individual unemployability due to his mood disorder with depressive features. The issues are related as they both involve his service-connected mood disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's service connection claim should be granted based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, as per the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Board denied service connection for valvular heart disease, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his active duty service or his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to chemicals in service and the medical probability of his current disabilities being related to those exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for onychomycosis, heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, to include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to incomplete service personnel records, which may provide evidence of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's heart disability was denied for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent from September 1, 1992, until November 3, 2010, and from May 19, 2016, until December 12, 2022. A rating in excess of 60 percent was denied for the period starting December 12, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's ratings for Ischemic heart disease, Psoriasis, and Diabetes mellitus, type II are restored or maintained at 60 percent each. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for Ischemic heart disease prior to February 15, 2022, and the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.