Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, diabetes mellitus (type II), lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need to address other toxic exposure theories not previously considered.

The Board granted service connection for arterioslerotic heart diseases, diabetes melitis type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction with specific evaluations. The effective date is August 10, 2022.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for service-connected heart disability is dismissed as the AOJ decision implementing the Board's order was not appealable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of September 22, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) was also granted with the same effective date of September 22, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess whether these conditions were caused by in-service exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and stroke as due to herbicide exposure, finding no current disabilities or evidence of exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating and TDIU is remanded due to the need for updated METs testing and review of community care records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and will consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to earlier effective dates for CAD, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension due to a lack of a medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to service. The VA will obtain an appropriate medical opinion regarding this issue.

The Veteran's initial rating for DMII is granted at 40 percent. The Veteran's CAD receives a 100 percent rating beginning November 1, 2023. Secondary service connection is established for fatty liver disease and atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's heart conditions, including valvular heart disease with coronary artery bypass graft, myocardial infarction, bradycardia, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and flutter, congestive heart failure and implanted cardiac pacemaker, were characterized by symptoms of heart failure at a workload of 5.1-7.0 METs and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between 30 and 50 percent. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was granted with a rating of 60 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disorder.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,Erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer status post radical prostatectomy is denied as the evidence does not demonstrate a 'deformity' with loss of erectile power.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the abnormal heart condition, resulting in its dismissal.

The appeal for service connection for heart disability is dismissed as the Veteran's claim was granted in a prior rating decision. The lumbar spine disability appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility for DEA are granted effective February 8, 2023. The Board is remanding these claims to review evidence from June 25, 2020, when service connection was established.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, bilateral lower extremity disabilities, and pulmonary tuberculosis due to inadequate VA opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and heart disability. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions were incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection due to the PACT Act, which retroactively granted presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and related conditions based on herbicide exposure. The effective date remains August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's heart disability claim was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection in a prior decision.,An initial 40 percent rating for urinary incontinence is granted, effective May 8, 2020.