Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II caused or contributed to his death. The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's blood sugar levels on October 22, 2000, which were noted to be high and potentially life-threatening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, diabetes, and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from October 26, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral leg condition, bilateral foot conditions, and visual impairment (claimed as vision loss), were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease disability rating was reduced from 100% to 30%, but the Board found this reduction improper due to inadequate VA examinations and restored the original 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and incomplete opinions regarding service connection for various conditions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The effective date for service connection remains March 31, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's heart condition. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to environmental hazards during his service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100% disability evaluation for coronary artery disease is set at July 24, 2014. Prior to this date, his condition did not warrant such a high rating.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart condition, lung condition, and left leg puncture due to VA medical care.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's heart condition is rated at 60 percent disabling prior to December 4, 2020. The Board denied a higher evaluation and TDIU based on the evidence showing that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension effective from August 10, 2022 under the PACT Act. The claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease prior to that date is remanded due to pre-decisional failure of duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted in April 2020 with an effective date of February 21, 2018. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his physical limitations and combined disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction is remanded due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board requests verification of the Veteran's participation in classified missions in Thailand and Vietnam during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The rating reduction from 10% to 0% for the service-connected TBI was improper, and restoration of the 10% rating is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were granted service connection, with the CAD receiving a higher rating. The TDIU claim was deferred.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation.,The Veteran's scars from coronary artery bypass graft surgery are being remanded for further examination and rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection and ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) with stents. The Board denied these requests as there was no evidence that the disability warranted earlier effective dates.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for DEA benefits based on permanent total disability status due to CAD. The Board found this request not applicable since the effective date for DEA benefits was predicated on the 100 percent rating for CAD.