Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's nerve condition, pes planus, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and arthritis of the bilateral feet are granted. The back condition and valvular heart disease secondary to service-connected hypertension are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected heart conditions and left carotid artery blockage, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the left carotid artery blockage.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his back disability was denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertensive heart disease with fatigue and shortness of breath, hypertension based on the PACT Act, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a right hip disorder were all denied.

The Board denied the service connection for cause of death, finding that none of the Veteran's heart diagnoses, including hypertension, caused or contributed to his causes of death. The PACT Act presumption was applied to hypertension.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a death pension due to her income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).

The Veteran was granted TDIU benefits as of October 16, 2012. He also received SMC based on aid and attendance as of the same date.,An effective date of May 28, 2011, for TDIU benefits was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, valvular heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, fungal infection of the left toe, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 11, 2021. The Board has granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability, specifically the March 1985 in-service heart condition. The Veteran needs a new VA medical opinion to determine if his valvular heart disease is related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive heart disease as secondary to his service-connected essential hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, pre-ventricular contraction, and cervical dysplasia are granted. Service connection is denied for cervical dysplasia.

The Veteran's claim for accrued benefits was denied as there were no pending claims at the time of his death, and the appeal is not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of evidence received since May 2024 supplemental statement of the case, including a June 2024 statement from the Veteran regarding his heart disease medical history.

The Veteran's left knee condition resulted in a disability rating of 60 percent, and his heart condition was rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension and a heart condition due to insufficient evidence in previous opinions. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to petroleum products, including jet fuel, which may be relevant to his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for scars, including the right hand scar status post squamous cell carcinoma excision, is denied. The Board found that there was no legal authority to assign an earlier effective date due to the March 2023 rating decision already assigning the earliest possible effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for scars, including the right hand scar status post squamous cell carcinoma excision, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to November 30, 2015, and that the Veteran's service-connected scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for scars, including the right hand scar status post squamous cell carcinoma excision, is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to November 30, 2015, and that the Veteran's service-connected scars do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as the condition is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for heart disability is dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.