Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to March 14, 2017, and dismissed as moot for the period after that date due to his 100% disability rating for IHD.

The Veteran's hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to the former.,The cause of death is attributed to bilateral pneumonia and congestive heart failure, which were related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as it did not meet the criteria for an effective date prior to November 21, 2022.,Service connection for hypothyroidism and emphysema were granted with an effective date of November 21, 2022. Service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was granted with a rating of 60 percent but no higher, also with an effective date of June 13, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for transverse myelitis, a heart disorder (claimed as heart failure takotsubo), and hypertension due to potential errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Guam, effective October 1, 2022.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is granted an earlier effective date of August 1, 2004, for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The effective dates are based on the Agent Orange presumption.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease to include coronary artery bypass graft, patent foramen ovale closure, percutaneous coronary intervention (cardiac stent), atrial flutter and myocardial infarction is rated at 100 percent since February 6, 2020.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 28, 2018, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease with valvular and hypertensive heart disease, as well as skin cancer, due to presumed herbicide exposure in Korea. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of coronary artery disease (CAD) and spinal fusion with lumbar stenosis and degenerative arthritis have been granted, effective from June 12, 2014, and May 7, 2018 respectively.,The claim for a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus type 2, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and erectile dysfunction is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and heart condition as there was no evidence of onset or relationship to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents, asbestos, and hazardous chemicals. The Board will also obtain medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) including pericarditis with hypertension was granted, and the effective date is set at May 2, 2007. The decision also corrected an error in applying VA regulations that resulted in a lower initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status-post CABG disability, including an exercise stress test.

The Veteran's heart disability, which includes coronary artery disease, arterial fibrillation, supraventricular arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction, and valvular heart disease, has not been found to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, finding that there is no direct evidence linking his current conditions to his military service. The medical evidence does not support presumptive service connection based on continuity of symptomatology or due to a chronic disease shown in service.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L3-L5 and S1 are now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021. Service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, CAD, PTSD, sleep apnea, and headaches are all granted.