Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and its secondary effects on other conditions. The decision found that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or ACDUTRA, and thus could not be granted based on presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 22, 2016 for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance. The evidence did not show that the Veteran required such aid prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction residuals, and stenting was dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected systolic heart murmur, diagnosed as valvular heart disease, is now rated at a 60 percent disability rating effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, are granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicides in Korea. Other conditions like diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathies, and erectile dysfunction are also granted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for his service-connected heart disability is denied. The Board finds that the May 2020 Higher-Level Review decision, which continued the 60% rating, became final and there was no continuous pursuit of the April 2019 claims within one year prior to June 14, 2020 when the TDIU claim was filed. The matter of a TDIU is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied because it was not filed within the two-year period after he received a compensable disability rating, and there is no evidence of mental incompetence. The Veteran had hypertension rated as at least 10 percent disabling since August 2022.

The Board has identified errors in the duty to assist and is remanding the case for a new VA addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, including stress-induced symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating above 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes, finding that a VA examination is needed due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel benefits associated with a June 13, 2024, VA medical appointment is granted due to the timely submission of a paper claim within 30 days after completing the travel.

The Board has determined that there was a failure to properly assess the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents while stationed in Korea, leading to an incorrect denial of service connection for heart and lung disabilities. The case is being remanded to investigate this issue further.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension have been granted due to presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in service.,Service connection has also been granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and/or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and a heart condition due to toxic exposure in Kuwait. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, while his hypertension and heart condition are related to his obstructive sleep apnea. A VA examination is needed to address the potential relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxins.

The Board has remanded six issues related to service connection for various conditions, including tinea pedis, heart disorder (congestive heart failure), and peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities. The reasons are that the AOJ did not provide proper notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing before it issued its initial decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his hypertensive heart disease and diastolic heart failure are related to in-service toxic exposures and whether they contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he is deceased.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential procedural errors in the VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.