Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and loss of use the lower extremities as secondary to prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has identified errors in the VA's duty to assist and has ordered remand for additional examinations and opinions on service connection claims for heart condition, hypertension, PTSD, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's heart condition (coronary artery disease) is denied as there is no evidence of service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents or at the Korean DMZ, and a VA examination was not provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors in VA's duty to assist. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure as an automotive mechanic.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity peripheral artery disease and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for a TERA-specific opinion. The Veteran's heart disability is being reviewed, including its relation to service-connected hypertension and presumed toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The appeal is dismissed as the proposed reduction of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass grafting was not effectuated, and the rating was increased in a subsequent decision. The other issues are not before the Board at this time.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The heart condition issue has been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to March 15, 2023 is denied as there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim from March 15, 2023 onwards is dismissed as moot because a new claim for TDIU was filed and adjudicated after the original rating decision.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to effective dates and disability ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, neuropathies, lung cancer, and coronary artery disease. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Veteran's cause of death, coronary artery disease and hypertension, is granted as service connection is presumed due to herbicide exposure near the Korean DMZ.

Your appeals for service connection for body rash and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is not about service connection, so no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for heart condition due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's CAD and coronary artery bypass graft (x3) have been granted a 100% disability rating from February 21, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate starting March 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and cause of death due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's death certificate indicates congestive heart failure, with other significant conditions including atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from March 19, 2020 to October 4, 2022 is granted as he meets the schedular criteria for a combined rating of 70 percent due to multiple service-connected disabilities. The earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure is denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, but no higher.

The Veteran's entitlement to a disability rating of 100 percent for coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure is granted effective November 1, 2014. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot as the Veteran is already receiving a 100 percent schedular rating for CAD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for head injury residuals is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition (abnormal heart with chest pain) is remanded.

Your claim for service connection for coronary artery disease has been granted, effective from August 2022. However, the issue is now moot as your benefits have already been awarded.