Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for CAD due to incomplete records in the VistA imaging system and outstanding VA treatment records.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU prior to March 30, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents, radioactive compounds, chemical warfare agents, and/or PCBs during active duty at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence from the PACT Act, requiring a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's causes of death are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC have been granted with effective dates of November 3, 2017. The conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus to obtain further evidence regarding in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding development of claims for increased ratings for PTSD and CAD. The remand may affect the consideration of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 10, 2022, for the grant of service connection for his conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed for service connection, and additional evidence is needed regarding his exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease, both potentially related to exposure to Agent Orange, are remanded due to lack of evidence on the issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and recent passage of the PACT Act. The appellant's service connection claims will be reconsidered in light of these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board denies an increased rating.,The Veteran's heart condition is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the exception of the award of an effective date earlier than April 16, 2019 for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus (DM).,All other issues related to service connection or increased ratings have been dismissed due to lack of pending claims.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a duty to assist error regarding psychiatric disorders related to service-connected disabilities. The appellant contends that the Veteran's death was caused by his military service and/or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional development and clarification of opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a hernia is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected heart disease.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied, as there is no evidence linking the condition to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease to obtain a more thorough medical opinion addressing the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and inadequate development of his exposure to herbicide agents.