Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and heart disease, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 7, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as ischemic heart disease/congestive heart failure (heart disability).

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for heart condition, specifically Wolff Parkinson's White Syndrome. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine if his current heart condition is related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for right hand disability. It granted presumptive service connection for CAD and hypertension, as well as causation-based service connection for hypertensive retinopathy and dry eyes secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a December 2020 rating decision because the appeal was not part of the service connection claim, and thus attorneys are not eligible for direct payment of such fees.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating higher than 60 percent for ischemic heart disease was dismissed because the appeal was not filed within one year of the September 2019 rating decision.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the November 2019 decision and is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to in-service exposure to radiation and herbicides is being remanded due to the lack of development regarding his in-service exposure to these factors. The Board will consider any new evidence submitted after October 8, 2021.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic heart failure is related to his service-connected asbestos-related pleural disease and requires further examination and opinion regarding direct, secondary, and TERA service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a heart disability associated with herbicide exposure are remanded due to the need for further evidence, including verification of service in Vietnam and a VA examination under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and throat cancer due to a failure to address the Veteran's exposure at Camp Casey, which is near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The DIC benefits claim based on cause of death will also be remanded as it is intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty to assist error, as well as potential PACT Act requirements.

The Veteran's death has led to the dismissal of all service connection claims.

The Veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability (ischemic heart disease including coronary artery disease) that contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death. The Appellant is also entitled to burial benefits as she personally incurred expenses related to the Veteran's funeral and burial.

The appeals for service connection and ratings related to various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's request to appeal the proposal to sever service connection for coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) / unstable angina and PCI with stent placement is dismissed as moot. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the November 2023 rating decision granted treatment purposes only under Chapter 17 for frequent urinary tract infections, BPH, erectile dysfunction, and arteriosclerotic heart disease and valvular heart disease with acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction. The Veteran's character of discharge was previously determined to be a bar to VA benefits other than Chapter 17 health care.

The Veteran's heart disability, coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease, is currently rated at 60 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran has met the percentage requirements for consideration of a schedular TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that he is precluded from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease) is granted, effective July 19, 2023.