Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides during service, and the Board found no other basis for granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a heart disability, specifically sinus bradycardia. The Veteran's exposure during service at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton is under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination regarding the appellant's claimed conditions related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the July 2018 VA examination is inadequate due to an incomplete medical history and insufficient detail regarding the etiologies of the Veteran's diagnosed heart conditions. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, heart disability, and eye disability have been denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 25, 2023. The effective date for the grant of Basic Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance is set at May 5, 2021.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need for a proper METs level assessment.

The Board found that the appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal within 60 days of the issuance of the June 2016 Statement of the Case, and thus denied her appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a link between any of the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with sinus bradycardia is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7005. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI insurance was denied because the claim was not filed within two years from the date of service connection, and there is no evidence of mental incompetence during the relevant period.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent effective July 21, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU effective June 4, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and IHD were all granted with effective dates based on the implementation of the PACT Act. The rating for IHD was increased to 30% from a previous 10%. All other claims are denied.

The Board granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with ventricular systolic dysfunction, aortic and mitral valve stenosis associated with herbicide exposure. The appeal is denied as the issue of SMC based on housebound criteria being met was not reviewed due to an earlier effective date found.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, hair loss, penile disability, hypertension, heart disability, knee disabilities, and wrist disabilities. The appeals were remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 4, 2012 for service connection of ischemic heart disease and July 27, 2012 for diabetes mellitus, type 2. The appeal for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disability, GERD, and a lower back disability due to new evidence being submitted. The AOJ will attempt to obtain the appellant's Air National Guard service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including its relationship to service-connected major depressive disorder.