Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination, and requests that any evidence not considered by the AOJ be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, with congestive heart failure) was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.,The Appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for eczema and stasis dermatitis was granted based on continuous pursuit of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability due to exposure to herbicides. The case is being remanded because of an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease and hypertensive heart disease has been rated at 100 percent since December 14, 2022. The AOJ is remanded to provide a detailed explanation of the retroactive compensation amount he was paid.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, TDIU, and DEA are being remanded due to the need to obtain federal records from the Office of Workers' Compensation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to the need to verify his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD is granted at a 60 percent level prior to August 25, 2022. An increased rating in excess of 60 percent from that date is denied. SMC at the housebound rate is granted since March 9, 2021. The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and nerve impairments are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, kidney disability, and an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease were denied. The earlier effective date claim for the grant of a 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease was also denied.,An increase in the Veteran's rating from 60 to 100 percent for coronary artery disease is not warranted, as there is no medical documentation supporting such an increase prior to the March 2024 VA examination.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits for ambulance transportation to the Iowa City VAMC on November 15, 2019. The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran had an emergent condition and was transported from his home to a non-VA emergency room and then to the VA Medical Center in Iowa City.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis, service connection for decompression sickness, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, cardiac disability, and respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for decompression sickness, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, cardiac disability, and respiratory disability are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding an abnormal heart disability, high blood pressure, ED, and sleep apnea are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA examinations obtained prior to the March 2022 rating decision on appeal did not adequately address the nature of these conditions or their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include hypertension, prior to August 10, 2022, due to a duty to assist error. A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The appeal for service connection for heart disorder, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, which was secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder, has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's heart condition and hypertension are service-connected, but the lumbar spine disability is dismissed due to a full grant of benefits. Service connection for TBI, bilateral eye condition (secondary), and headaches (secondary) is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of coronary artery disease, hypertension, a vision disorder, and essential tremors as they have been granted in full.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and aortic valve replacement as secondary to coronary artery disease are remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's Air Force Reserve service personnel records need to be obtained, along with any outstanding service medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and secondary service connection for hypertensive heart disease, with a 10% rating assigned for the laminectomy scar.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 10, 2022, for the awards of service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, as well as for SMC at the housebound rate are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.