Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected CAD, acute myocardial infarction, CHF with CABG status PCI is granted a temporary total rating of 100% from December 23, 2023 to March 23, 2024. The remaining issues related to PVD, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding verification of exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos during service. The Veteran's cause of death is listed as coronary artery disease, presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the disability is already rated at its maximum.,Service connection for heart disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, lower back disability, gallbladder disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and lower left leg disability are remanded due to errors in VA's pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of October 7, 2019. The decision is based on the presumption of herbicide exposure in Thailand under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a failure to consider certain medical evidence in determining the effective date and severity of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder, including CAD, as there is no probative evidence supporting that the claimed disabilities were caused by VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and incomplete records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to toxic substances during his Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thick heart disability, COPD, and right ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding service connection for cause of death. The Veteran's cause of death was coronary artery disease, with hypertension as a leading cause. VA needs to obtain a medical opinion assessing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's principal or any contributory causes of death were incurred in active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU effective date prior to September 20, 2017, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal of the effective date for service connection and the earlier effective date for a rating are dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for joint pain is granted with an effective date of June 23, 2014. A 60 percent rating for fatigue is also granted with the same effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for HIV, diabetes mellitus, type II, a heart condition, a kidney condition, a back disability, and bilateral hip disability due to inadequate development under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) and potential need for compliance with the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and for an adequate TERA examination regarding the Veteran's heart disabilities, including trace mitral regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation, trace aortic regurgitation, and mild pulmonic regurgitation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate ratings for various disabilities, including right and left foot hallux valgus, cervical spine disability, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, heart disease, and bilateral insertional tendonitis. The claims are being remanded to obtain necessary examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran is seeking additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the CRDP program for a period from September 1, 2020, through February 28, 2021. The AOJ found him not entitled to these benefits and remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 50 percent rating of sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

Service connection is granted for deviated septum, back disability (lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis), left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist tendonitis, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder), non-allergic rhinitis, enlarged tonsils, anemia, and disability manifested by widespread muscle and joint pain.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the criteria were not met. The effective date of March 23, 2016, is established based on the evidence of record.

Your claim for service connection for coronary artery disease has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed because your full request was already satisfied by a previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability necessitates his need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to assist in bathing, preparing meals, tending to hygiene needs, and managing medication. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to this condition.