Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not result in more than one episode of congestive heart failure within a year, or workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent prior to June 24, 2021. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's heart disability is related to his in-service sinus bradycardia, while his BPH may be linked to age rather than service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as it did not result from an injury or disease incurred in line of duty during a period of active duty, inactive duty training, or travel to/from such periods.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung cancer and COPD, prostate cancer, ECA (stroke), and ED due to herbicide exposure.,Service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the conditions. The Veteran's post-service medical records indicated diagnoses of these conditions but they were not within one year after discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the service connection issues adjudicated in the January 2019 rating decision need to be remanded due to an error in docketing under the modernized review system. The Veteran will receive a statement of the case regarding these issues, and he can choose to opt into the modernized review system if desired.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The claims are related to dental condition, left upper eyelid papilloma, dry eye syndrome, cataracts, and ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary heart disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and cardiomyopathy, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents was not established based on his military duties as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist. The claims were decided on a direct basis without any presumption of service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, both secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's heart transplant due to ischemic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, which is the minimum rating allowed under new criteria effective November 14, 2021. The evidence does not show that his workload of more than three METs results in symptoms consistent with heart failure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied in May 2007, and no new evidence or claims were submitted prior to January 16, 2018. The effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted on August 8, 2019, with a retroactive effective date of January 16, 2018.,The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA benefits due to lack of prior claims or entitlement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA medical records and referring the case to the Director, Compensation Service for an extraschedular determination prior to March 18, 2019.

The Board has remanded both service connection claims due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and verifying the Veteran's service in Guam. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents based on his service in Guam.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports readjudicating the claims for service connection of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The Veteran's assertions include a claim related to an in-service malaria illness, which may be related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors in scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, which could affect the rating reduction from 100% to 10%. The examiner will assess the current nature and severity of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his ACDUTRA at Fort Chaffee and thus meeting the presumptive criteria.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected, and it is also found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease, cardiovascular disease, and quadruple bypass surgery are granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The right hip claim is denied, while sinusitis, rhinitis, heart condition (CAD), and bilateral shoulder conditions require further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding his service-connected heart condition and other disabilities. The Board will seek a medical opinion on whether these conditions contributed to the Veteran's respiratory failure.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed as moot.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia disorder, is granted.