Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and a heart condition has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, narcolepsy, migraine headaches, memory loss, bilateral eye condition, depression, and heart condition have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for valvular heart disease due to its withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for a respiratory disability, pes planus, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The heart disability, including the heart block and implanted cardiac pacemaker, is also granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for PTSD, heart condition secondary to PTSD, and TDIU prior to May 18, 2022 due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information about employment history.

The Veteran's entitlement to a disability rating of 100 percent for coronary artery disease is granted, as his METs score was less than or equal to 3, resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to a lack of in-service event or injury relative to these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) rating from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective March 1, 2022, was proper due to a clear and unmistakable error in the original rating.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for heart condition and high blood pressure has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational background and work experience, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for CAD from June 2004 to October 2006 was granted, with a 60 percent rating. The earlier effective date for service connection of CAD is denied.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) associated with hypertension, but denied any request for an increased rating.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease with atrial fibrillation and chronic congestive heart failure status post implantation of defibrillator and pacemaker, as well as the associated scar of the upper left chest, are granted effective February 24, 2021. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is also granted effective August 16, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his conditions are manageable with the help of family members.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, head injury to include TBI, cervical spine disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection under the PACT Act, and he is entitled to a disability rating for coronary artery disease. However, his claim for an increased rating remains pending.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and a TDIU were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

Service connection for a heart disability is granted.,Effective dates of April 6, 2005 are granted for service connection of diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus rating remains at 20 percent.,Increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are remanded.,An effective date earlier than September 6, 2016 for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance is remanded.