Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for SMC due to the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine his current level of impairment from service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which could affect his eligibility for SMC.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 16, 2019, for coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the severity of his condition during that period.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure at Apra Harbor in Guam. Service connection for the cause of death under the PACT Act is granted. DIC benefits are denied as the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's post-service occupational history, as well as potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Veteran's Hodgkin's lymphoma, heart conditions (acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease), and lung condition (subcutaneous pleural fistula) are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to toxins at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric condition and/or arteriosclerotic heart disease. The VA must obtain a new opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a TDIU and SMC determinations, specifically regarding the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to service or any other cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic attacks, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for CAD from May 15, 2012 to February 6, 2018 is granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for CAD from February 7, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and coronary artery disease are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for hypertension is reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of her medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a stroke, and heart disability are granted. The claim for COPD is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act due to exposure in Southwest Asia. Claims for residuals of a stroke and heart disability remain pending as they may be granted on direct or other bases.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent, effective August 4, 2022. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss is denied as the evidence does not support a separate rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal fusion (back disability), and restless leg syndrome are remanded due to insufficient development or evaluation.,Service connection was granted for these conditions but the effective dates were not established. The Board finds that additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him bedridden or require regular aid and assistance at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective May 6, 2019. The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable earlier than this date that the Veteran was in need of aid and attendance due solely to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition results in more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or a workload capacity of greater than 5.0 METs but not greater than 7.0 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, but remanded the issues of service connection for granulomatous disease and coronary artery disease due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident with right side hemiplegia is found to be at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease. Effective September 16, 2011, the Veteran's TDIU claim based on PTSD alone is granted. SMC at the statutory housebound rate effective November 1, 2022 is also granted.