Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation, was not caused by his service-connected PTSD and is therefore denied for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, and has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and metastatic bone cancer associated with primary prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to carbon tetrachloride and ionizing radiation during service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions on whether these exposures caused or contributed to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran, and the discontinuance of the 100 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer was deemed proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that it is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected healed stab wound.

The Board has determined that there have been substantial compliance issues with the previous remand directives and thus, the claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, heart disorder (abnormal heart palpitations), right shoulder disorder, and migraines are all granted as service-connected. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions for the heart disorder, right shoulder disorder, and migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition with a pacemaker, finding that there is no evidence linking his current heart condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to incomplete service records and lack of verification of herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, hemorrhoids, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, iliotibial strain of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, Graves' disease and irritable bowel syndrome and gastroenteritis have been granted increased ratings. TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and basic eligibility for DEA have also been granted effective as of May 23, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease with atrial fibrillation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. Additional development is needed, including verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure and an addendum medical opinion on the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation for coronary artery disease status post angioplasty is granted. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for CAD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and leukemia due to potential in-service toxic exposures. The AOJ is instructed to develop evidence related to these claims, including obtaining TERA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of extraschedular criteria.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded as it requires a new opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The numbness of the bilateral legs is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, which are presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure, contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death. The benefit sought is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further evaluation. The initial ratings for bronchial asthma with bronchitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, left carotid artery blockage status post endarterectomy, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), double bypass heart surgery with lower heart valve replacement, painful sternotomy scar secondary to heart surgery, hyperlipidemia, type two diabetes mellitus (DM-II), chronic sinusitis, recurrent colonic polyps, left middle finger condition, and left ring finger condition are also remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. His coronary artery disease is granted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 27, 2024, but denied for ratings exceeding 30 percent from that date.