Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, but dismissed the appeals related to other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to herbicide exposure for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is instructed to contact the U.S. Department of Army to assess if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides at Camp Carroll in Korea.

The Board remands the issues of an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for CAD status post CABG from October 31, 2019 and a TDIU prior to July 22, 2022 for additional development.

The Veteran's dementia was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The appeal for a higher rate of SMC is remanded.

The Board remands the issues of earlier effective dates for various conditions associated with herbicide exposure, including squamous cell lung cancer and coronary artery disease, as well as peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, heart disability, and hypothyroidism are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service records need to be verified and obtained, as there is uncertainty regarding whether all of his dates of service are included in the claims file. The Board also finds that the VA opinions provided were inadequate and requires further examination and opinion from a qualified VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are related to service, specifically his exposure to asbestos. The VA is instructed to obtain an adequate VA opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for heart disease, residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), hypertension, and squamous cell carcinoma are remanded due to the PACT Act. The Board finds additional development is needed as there was a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) with congestive heart failure, AICD, coronary artery bypass graft, cardiomyopathy, and ischemic heart disease, warrant a 100 percent rating prior to November 7, 2023.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims for accrued benefits purposes due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records and associate them with the claims file.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for initial development and adjudication by the RO.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity varicose veins are now rated at 60 percent, effective December 8, 2018. The right lower extremity varicose veins remain rated at 40 percent. Service connection for coronary artery disease and kidney disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the appeals for heart disorder, stroke residuals, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a lack of evidence, including METs level assessments. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private treatment records from his cardiologist and update his VA Form 21-8940 regarding employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, records review, and consideration of new evidence.,The Board is unable to make a determination on the merits of these issues without further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest pain as secondary to sleep apnea is being remanded due to the complexity of the issue and potential need for additional evidence.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea, but a compensable initial rating for valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues of aid and attendance are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 9, 2023. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.