Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board remands the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) to obtain additional evidence and to consider a secondary service connection theory based on the Veteran's now service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 1, 2020 for the award of a 100 percent rating for acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease status post coronary artery bypass graft. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC from July 1, 2020.

A 60 percent rating for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is granted effective December 13, 2011.,TDIU on a schedular basis is granted effective December 13, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for various heart disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service and thus denying the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his increased rating of 100 percent for coronary artery disease and also denied his claim for service connection for hypertension. The denial was based on lack of evidence showing a worsening in severity during the one-year period prior to April 14, 2021, when he submitted a new claim.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, DEA eligibility, and a higher rating for CAD with septal myocardial infarction have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The surviving daughter filed for substitution, but she was not eligible and the case was withdrawn by the Court.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection based on presumptive service connection due to Southwest Asia service. The remaining conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and SMC at 's' rate due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, CABG and atrial fibrillation associated with herbicide exposure is granted effective from April 21, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from April 8, 2015.

The Board is remanding all issues for correction of a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Specifically, the Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right great toe disability, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the AOJ not having scheduled examinations or obtaining medical opinions prior to denying these claims.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Coronary Artery Disease due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to a failure to ensure that the duty to assist was satisfied by notifying and requesting release of relevant private treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorizations for VA to obtain these records from his non-VA cardiologist.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, diagnosed as end-stage renal disease, is related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. His coronary artery disease and hypertension are also linked to this kidney disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied as the evidence did not show that he experienced heart failure symptoms due solely to his CAD at any time over the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and stroke disorder, finding that these conditions are proximately caused by the Veteran's service-connected tuberculosis. Service connection was denied for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted. The effective date of August 30, 2018, is also granted.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional medical opinions, including those related to valvular heart disease, keratoconjunctivitis, upper extremity radiculopathy, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, a skin condition, shin splints, knee meniscal tear, muscle/tendon strain of the lower leg, and sleep disturbances.