Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are granted. Service connection for hypertension is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims of entitlement to service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied because he is already receiving the highest schedular evaluation allowed under the law.

All issues of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to improper appeal or untimely submission.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected coronary artery disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because there are no remaining justiciable issues.

The Board granted an initial 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that his workload was at worst 3 METs or less and he displayed symptoms of heart failure.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes to obtain additional evidence, including treatment records and possibly an examination.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent evaluation for his service-connected coronary artery disease and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate, both effective May 22, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 6, 2022 and in excess of 60 percent prior to June 13, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and a need for new evidence, specifically a VA heart examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected coronary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction (CAD), finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and hypertensive heart disease due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is considered as a cause of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between arteriosclerotic heart disease and service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of Celiac's disease, muscle strain (claimed as back injury), and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a duty to assist error, specifically missing VistA Imaging records that are pertinent to the claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and CAD have been granted effective March 27, 2019. The claims were initially filed in July 2013, but the effective date was adjusted to August 10, 2022 due to a PACT Act change.