Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (IHD) based on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure.

An effective date of October 19, 2018, is granted for the grant of service connection and assignment of an initial 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD).,An effective date of October 19, 2018, is granted for the grant of service connection and assignment of an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension.,An earlier effective date prior to September 28, 2021, is denied for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status is denied as it is ancillary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which were granted effective May 14, 2021.

The Board dismissed the issue of whether the reduction of the evaluation for coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 30 percent, effective June 1, 2023, was proper as it has already been restored by the AOJ.

The Veteran's kidney disease, heart disability, and stroke are all granted as service-connected.,Secondary service connection for loss of vision in the right eye is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to incomplete development. The RO must conduct necessary development as directed by the August 2024 Board remand and then readjudicate the issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for CAD status post stents is denied. The effective date of service connection for prostate cancer and left foot pes planus, hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease first metatarsal phalangeal joint has been granted as April 8, 2010. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure, finding no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 15, 1998 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for carcinoma of the prostate with urinary incontinence is denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 16, 2005 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 6, 2002 for the grant of service connection for Parkinson's Disease is denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for eye condition (vision), hearing loss, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70% effective October 15, 2024. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected CAD and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

DIC benefits are restored, effective December 31, 2021, as the Veteran had been rated totally disabled for over ten continuous years prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for ischemic heart disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a formal or informal claim prior to December 11, 2020, and thus no retroactive effective date is available based on liberalizing law. For his TDIU claim, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (heart disability, hypertension, and tinnitus) were deemed sufficient for consideration of a TDIU, with the vocational expert opining that he was unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to his heart condition.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure, finding that the claim was filed on September 19, 2022, and therefore the earliest possible effective date is September 19, 2022.

The Board has remanded the heart disability claim due to a duty to assist error, requiring the AOJ to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected neuropathy caused his heart disease and if it is aggravated by it.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from March 18, 2022.,Service connection for CAD due to exposure in the Gulf War is granted with a 30 percent rating as of March 18, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The diabetes was rated at the minimum level, with no need for insulin or restricted activities. The lower extremity neuropathies met the criteria for a 20 percent rating but not higher. The upper extremity neuropathies also met the criteria for a 30-40 percent rating but not higher. The cardiac disability was rated at the minimum level, with no need for insulin or restricted activities.