Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for coronary artery disease because it was remanded by the Court and is considered part of another claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a permanent loss of use of his right hand and right foot, which precludes effective operation of an automobile. Therefore, eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or adaptive equipment is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's representative requesting withdrawal of all appeals.,All appeals for service connection have been dismissed as per the Veteran's representative's requests.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) and for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for CAD from January 11, 2020.,The Board also dismissed the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to heart condition/leaking valve, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea are denied. The claim for service connection for headaches prior to February 23, 2023, is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, requiring a new VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart condition and her service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being readjudicated due to new evidence submitted after the March 2019 Board decision.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) s/p CABG claim is remanded as it could significantly impact the service connection for frostbite (now claimed as cold weather feet injury).,The Veteran's frostbite (now claimed as cold weather feet injury) claim is being remanded due to a lack of examination or medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for CAD was denied. A compensable evaluation prior to November 2, 2018 for the CABG scar and a combined 10 percent evaluation from that date for both scars were granted. TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for hypertension, which included a diagnosis of hypertensive heart disease, was filed on February 15, 2011. Therefore, service connection for hypertensive heart disease is granted effective from this date.

The Veteran's death was not due to any service-connected disabilities, and therefore the claim for cause of death is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The rating for cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, has been denied as the evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical opinions. The appellant's heart condition is being evaluated again, with a focus on its relationship to service, sleep apnea, and potential toxic exposure from burn pits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension have been granted.,A separate issue of service connection for a disability associated with the removal of xanthelasmas, claimed as hyperlipidemia, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The case is remanded due to the need to consider an effective date prior to January 21, 2020, for service connection of PTSD and MDD.

The Board has denied service connection for gout, heart disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bladder disability, sinus disability, bilateral flat feet, and headache disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board has vacated the January 24, 2023 remand of the issue regarding service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD. The appeal is dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure during his service at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU award effective April 1, 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability (non-occlusive coronary artery disease) as secondary to his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The decision is based on medical evidence associating the two conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerosis of the aorta and atherosclerotic disease of the native coronary artery, finding that these conditions are directly related to military service.