Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) and clarify whether he has been diagnosed with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Guam.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and/or coronary artery bypass graft have been granted a rating of 30 percent, effective October 11, 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on the Veteran's current functional limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that it is not related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for service connection for osteosclerosis must be denied.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his spondylotic changes lumbar spine, but a VA examination is needed to comply with the August 2019 Board remand directives.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infraction, stable angina and hyperlipidemia are both being remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete medical records and lack of exercise stress test.,The Veteran's spondylotic changes lumbar spine claim is also being remanded as the VA examination report noted that evidence of pain on passive range of motion testing was 'N/A'.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, Type II as due to exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Ubon RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive heart disease was denied in January 2019. The Board has determined that the procedural defect of using the wrong form to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) does not preclude consideration of his appeal, and he is entitled to a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA medical opinion addressing the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and associated residuals, is presumed to have been due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a heart condition due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions based on their occurrence during or as a result of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but has remanded the issue of service connection for a heart disorder. The case will be returned to the agency for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for fatty liver disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, a heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the disabilities and service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a heart disability, to include CAD. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors for PTSD and potential exposure to herbicides for CAD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his 2005 surgical treatment at a VA Medical Center, and if so, whether they were proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with hypertension being granted under the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran served in Vietnam, which is necessary for service connection. Additional records and verification are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates of service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (heart disease) and lung cancer, finding that no applicable law or regulation allows for such an adjustment.