Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, which are presumed to be associated with exposure to herbicide agents. The Board is remanding the case to verify whether the Veteran served near the Korean DMZ or was otherwise exposed to herbicide agents while in Korea.

The Veteran's bilateral pulmonary nodules, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and aortic aneurysm are all granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents. The effective date is not specified as the decision was for initial ratings.

The Veteran's motion to reverse the July 2003 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD was denied, and entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2013, for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's motion to revise the July 2014 rating decision that granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on grounds of CUE was denied, and entitlement to an effective date prior to July 15, 2012, for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the workload of greater than 7 to 10 METs resulting in breathlessness without evidence of congestive heart failure or cardiac hypertrophy/dilation.

The Board has identified errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and remanded the cases for additional development related to the Veteran's exposure claims. The service connection claims are being remanded due to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and CAD have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury in service, and the current conditions are not related to any in-service event.,Service connection for alcohol use disorder has also been denied due to the statutory prohibition on compensation for such disorders resulting from willful misconduct.

The Veteran's right hip disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted.,Service connection for a heart condition secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability has been rated at 60% since December 2, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU effective December 2, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for depression associated with tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for hypertension, a disease deemed presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, was granted under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's tinnitus, ischemic heart disease (secondary to herbicide exposure), and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and is presumed exposed to herbicides there.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding service connection for valvular heart disease and supraventricular arrhythmia, effectively dismissing the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease with sinus bradycardia and premature ventricular contraction was granted, effective August 11, 2020. The appeal is granted as the evidence does not support an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy and coronary artery disease status-post coronary artery bypass graft have been granted increased ratings, with the left ulnar neuropathy receiving a maximum 50% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding when the Veteran was diagnosed with hypertensive heart disease with congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease are remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and a heart disability due to service. The claims are being reviewed because of potential errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and VA examinations, as well as the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected back disability or contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disease are related to his active-duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a pre-decisional duty to assist error in relation to service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafts and atrioventricular block status post implantable cardiac pacemaker are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.