Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking any of the diseases leading to his death to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for heart disease was dismissed because he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and good cause was not shown.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 12, 2021 for the Veteran's Individual Unemployability and Dependents' Educational Assistance claims. The decision is based on continuous pursuit of the claim by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for valvular heart disease with aortic insufficiency and mitral valve prolapse was granted effective May 18, 1994.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a TDIU from July 19, 2023 due to the grant of a combined 100 percent rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The appeal for a TDIU prior to July 19, 2023 is remanded as it may be eligible for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of entitlement to service connection for ED secondary to service-connected CAD and DM due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA medical opinions obtained were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's ED was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, nor did they consider the potential aggravation of ED by herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he is not entitled to an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, given his current service-connected disabilities and existing levels of SMC.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral cataracts, valvular heart disease (claimed as atherosclerotic heart disease and aortic stenosis) secondary to sarcoidosis, and denied an evaluation more than 30 percent for sarcoidosis with pulmonary, hepatic and lymph node involvement. The Veteran's conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and coronary artery disease, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or qualifying exposure to herbicides.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of entitlement to service connection for ED secondary to service-connected CAD and DM due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA medical opinions obtained were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's ED was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, nor did they consider the potential aggravation of ED by herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at a 30 percent rating prior to September 20, 2022. From September 20, 2022 onwards, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as it was caused by the medications taken for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for squamous cell various, skin cancer due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus type II based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease (CAD) with atrial fibrillation based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for hypertension based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for lymphoma based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.,Service connection was granted for renal adenocarcinoma with renal insufficiency based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active-duty service in Korea.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure during service in Thailand.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are also granted as secondary to the service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic atrial fibrillation/arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease. The claims are now remanded due to pre-decisional errors in verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam for CAD, and a positive opinion regarding an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at a 30 percent rating prior to September 20, 2022. From September 20, 2022 onwards, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at a 30 percent rating prior to September 20, 2022. From September 20, 2022 onwards, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery/arteriosclerotic heart disease is remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2022 VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of entitlement to service connection for ED secondary to service-connected CAD and DM due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA medical opinions obtained were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's ED was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, nor did they consider the potential aggravation of ED by herbicide exposure.