Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and left knee disability. Service connection is denied for fatigue, blurred vision, deviated septum, dyspnea (other than heart disability), and gastroesophageal reflux disease.,The Veteran's service records show he experienced symptoms of tinnitus during active duty in 1991 and his left knee injury occurred during a qualifying period of National Guard service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to July 20, 2012 was denied. From July 20, 2012 onwards, the Veteran received a 100% disability rating for CAD due to his service-connected PTSD exacerbating his CAD symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for heart conditions, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes. The Veteran's heart disabilities were not related to his active duty in Korea.,The Board also denied service connection for left foot peripheral neuropathy and left ankle condition.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), cataracts, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to DMII, all based on lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset in service or within one year of service.

The Veteran's heart disorder and PTSD are not granted in full, with the heart disorder denied outright and the PTSD partially granted but subject to exceptions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's valvular heart disease is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and insufficient medical opinion linking any potential heart condition to his military service.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 7, 2021 for both TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU from October 17, 2018 to March 26, 2019 and SMC at the housebound rate prior to March 26, 2019 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteopenia, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD, and an initial compensable rating for hypothyroidism are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran also has a pending claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to February 10, 2023 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and tremors of the upper extremities have been granted. The decision is based on presumptive exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam, with the presumption extended to those who served offshore of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied. The effective date of service connection for hypertension was denied as the PACT Act does not allow retroactive application.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has identified errors in the rating decisions and is remanding the claims for service connection for coronary bypass, myocardial infarction, and dyspnea to allow for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right ear condition with dizziness is granted service connection. The claims for left ear, heart, chest pain, prostate, stomach, neck, back, hip, ankle, and foot conditions are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 60 percent evaluation for coronary artery disease status post stents, which was previously reduced to 10 percent effective March 1, 2022.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease. The evidence shows current diagnoses of these conditions but does not establish a link to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart condition (claimed atrial fibrillation) as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.