Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to uncorroborated stressors, but the claim for bipolar disorder and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder was granted. The claim for heart disability (atrial fibrillation with bradycardia and coronary artery disease) resulted in a 60% rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder/depressive disorder as due to his service-connected CAD is granted. The other issues related to the Veteran's CAD and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder on a direct basis, as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a link to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's lay statements were considered but found less probative than medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 60 percent disability rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG, finding that the reduction from 60 percent to 30 percent was proper due to improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) from May 1, 2018 to November 16, 2023 has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, persistent depressive disorder, and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides during active duty at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed asbestos exposure and its relation to his coronary artery disease. The Veteran seeks service connection for this condition, which is currently pending.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition based on toxic exposures while stationed at Fort McClellan. The right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disorder were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to new and material evidence having been received. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The claim of service connection for myasthenia gravis as secondary to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied as it is not secondary to a service-connected condition or caused by an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 9, 2022, has also been denied due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities that allow him to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are presumed to have been incurred during his active service in Okinawa due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to the service-connected prostate cancer.,Service connection for acid reflux disease and asthma is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, as well as service connection for residuals of a right hip replacement secondary to left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease of the right leg, and peripheral artery disease of the left leg. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection is established for all four conditions: hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease of the right leg, and peripheral artery disease of the left leg.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his heart and rib disability ratings, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred during the year prior to June 15, 2001.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's heart condition, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, nerve radiculopathy, inguinal hernia repair, and surgical scar. The main reasons for remand include obtaining relevant treatment records, verifying herbicide agent exposure, and providing a retrospective estimate of the Veteran's cervical spine range of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation, which are related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the claimed disabilities (heart disease, diabetes, and esophageal cancer) were not related to his military service.