Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for CAD, DMII, PCT, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to DMII, and stroke as secondary to DMII due to a lack of consideration on the merits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A VA examiner will be needed to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the inadequate September 2023 VA examination and has therefore remanded the case for an addendum examination.

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.

An effective date of August 13, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for residual scars on the right and left sides of the neck is granted.,An effective date prior to March 6, 2019, for the assignment of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied.,An effective date prior to October 18, 2020, for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 6, 2019, for coronary artery disease is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and neck condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (CLJW). The evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and active service or CLJW.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and prostate condition due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's exposure to toxic substances during service is conceded, but VA needs to provide an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, effective from December 13, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease renders him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disorder, and GERD due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service cold weather injuries.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all claims due to a full grant of benefits in January and May 2023 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for chronic bronchitis cough was granted. The left wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (anxiety, insomnia, short-term memory loss and lack of concentration, social adjustment disorder with anger issues), bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, vitamin D deficiency, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and skin disability (shingles) were denied. The Veteran's upper respiratory infection(s) other than chronic bronchitis was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 7, 2019 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease) is denied. The Board grants a January 30, 2017 effective date based on presumptive exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded due to a discrepancy in the Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA) findings. The AOJ needs to properly develop and assess whether the Veteran had any TERA during his period of service, including exposure to herbicides during his time in Korea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted with an effective date of February 18, 2009. The condition is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye condition and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, while remanding multiple other claims related to various disabilities.

The claims of service connection for DMII, a heart disability, Erdheim-Chester disease, Barrett's esophagus, epistaxis, squamous cell carcinoma, left foot disability, right foot disability, bone cancer, and myeloma are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection is also being remanded for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), a heart disability, Erdheim-Chester disease, Barrett's esophagus, epistaxis, squamous cell carcinoma, left foot disability, right foot disability, bone cancer, and myeloma.