Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease on a direct basis prior to August 10, 2022 due to herbicide exposure during active service in Guam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a boil on his buttocks, an increased rating for CAD, and compensable ratings for his groin scars. The Board found no current diagnosis or symptoms related to these conditions.,For hypertension, the highest systolic rating was 161, and the highest diastolic rating was 104.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ were granted with an effective date of May 12, 2016. The decision also addressed the overpayment issue.

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as atherosclerotic disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and colon cancer are all granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea. The Veteran asserts he was exposed to herbicides while making trips from his base at Camp Howze to the Demilitarized Zone.

The appeal for a higher rating of 30 percent prior to November 19, 2020 for MI with CAD is dismissed. Ratings for left knee DJD are denied before June 5, 2017 and from November 19, 2020; ratings for right knee DJD are denied before June 5, 2017 but granted at 20 percent after that date.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on reimbursement of expenses related to the Veteran's funeral and burial costs. The appellant was only entitled to the amount necessary to cover these expenses, as she did not meet the eligibility criteria for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II is granted under the provisions of the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, valvular heart disease, heart valve replacement and cardiac murmur is rated at 60 percent effective April 14, 2021. The effective date for the TDIU due to these disabilities is also set as April 14, 2021.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure during service in Guam, effective from January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980. This decision is based on the PACT Act of 2022.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds the VA opinions inadequate and requires a new examination to assess whether the Veteran can secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, valvular heart disease, heart valve replacement and cardiac murmur is rated at 60 percent effective April 14, 2021. The effective date for the TDIU due to these disabilities is also set as April 14, 2021.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The heart condition issue is remanded due to duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, valvular heart disease, heart valve replacement and cardiac murmur is rated at 60 percent effective April 14, 2021. The effective date for the TDIU due to these disabilities is also set as April 14, 2021.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, as well as cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims were denied because there was no verification of exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia. Service connection is granted for bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to coronary artery disease.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and sinusitis due to conflicting medical findings. The other conditions have been denied as not meeting VA disability criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 18, 2018. He also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate for his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart condition, kidney disease, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty military service.