Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore he did not meet the criteria for non-service-connected burial benefits. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty at the time of discharge.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's heart disability may be related to service and is requesting additional medical opinions to clarify the nature of her claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,High cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, the claim for this condition is denied.,The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, and heart disability to obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent is remanded as the SOC has not yet been issued.,All other claims are remanded.

The petition to reopen claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disability, and left below knee amputation with left hip avascular necrosis is granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective December 15, 2016, on a schedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The extraschedular TDIU claim between April 1, 2016, and December 15, 2016, is remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code, for heart condition, irritable bowel syndrome, mental health conditions, sleep apnea (lung condition), and tinnitus. The VA is required to provide a VA medical examination due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing before the Board.,An earlier effective date of July 20, 2012, but no earlier, has been granted for service connection for CAD based on new evidence from in-service records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The heart disability claim remains pending due to lack of response regarding herbicide exposure at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery bypass grafting with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease, hypertension, low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted ratings. The highest possible rating of 100 percent has been assigned for the Veteran's coronary artery bypass grafting with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease due to constant albuminuria with some edema; or definite decrease in kidney function; or hypertension at least 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7101. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for hypertension. The Veteran's low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated as 40 percent each, but not higher, based on limitation of motion under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (General Rating Formula). Bilateral hearing loss has also been granted a separate rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's accrued benefits claim was denied as there were no unpaid periodic monetary benefits at the time of his death. The Veteran had a 100% rating for PTSD since October 12, 2011 and was already receiving compensation due to TDIU.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for coronary artery disease prior to July 7, 2020 is granted with a 100% evaluation.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for coronary artery disease beginning July 7, 2020 is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (specifically depression and anxiety) are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded, as are the claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right ankle. The Veteran's gastritis with GERD claim also requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination opinion regarding the relationship between the service-connected hypertension and the current heart disability. The Veteran's heart disorder is currently diagnosed as valvular heart disease, which is already service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease due to potential exposure to herbicides during active duty. The PACT Act requires VA to conduct development in accordance with its procedures.

The Veteran's heart disease, including myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, was caused by his service-connected hypertension. The appeal for increased ratings is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for heart disability and thyroid disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic heart disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Veteran's symptoms were attributed to an underlying nervous condition during his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, and the remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with the effective date being September 24, 2013.