Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's death records suggest a potential cardiovascular disorder, but no specific diagnosis was made. The PACT Act requires VA to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of any such disorders due to service-connected toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied as there was no pending unadjudicated claim at the time of his May 2019 increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease is granted, as his left ventricle ejection fraction was 50%, which meets the criteria for a 60% rating under the pre-amended criteria. However, he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of congestive heart failure symptoms.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease with congestive heart failure and valvular heart disease is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at a higher than 30 percent rating from October 5, 2007 to August 25, 2008. The VA found the Veteran met the criteria for a 60 percent rating based on his LVEF of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, and dementia due to potential TERA exposure. The rating for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are not established. The application to revise a March 1995 rating decision based on CUE is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a heart disorder, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, due to inadequate VA examination opinions and potential exposure to toxins during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected coronary artery disease is granted, with the earliest effective date being December 29, 2021. The condition was established based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service at Korat RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) with implantable pacemaker associated with herbicide exposure was denied, and the effective date is set at January 29, 2007. The Board found no earlier claims encompassing CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder have combined to render him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and a heart condition. The case will be remanded to obtain SSA records, VA medical opinions, and toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) opinions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, sterility, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and migraine have been remanded due to the need for further review of the evidence.,Claims for cervical strain, lumbar strain, right knee condition, left knee condition, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as their respective secondary peripheral neuropathies, are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Further development is needed to obtain addendum medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease, is being remanded for further evaluation due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board finds the previous VA opinions inadequate and requires additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied as there was no pending unadjudicated claim at the time of his May 2019 increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of June 8, 2021. The decision is based on the evidence showing a pre-existing condition that developed during active duty.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 30 percent for headaches associated with his service-connected hypertension has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's dizziness and heart disability are secondary to his hypertension.,Service connection for dizziness and heart disability as secondary to service-connected hypertension is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy with shortness of breath. Service connection is denied for a respiratory disability manifesting in shortness of breath.