Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is denied as he did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam and therefore, cannot be considered a Nehmer class member. Retroactive benefits under Nehmer v. Department of Veterans Affairs are not applicable.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, as it is unclear whether there was aggravation during active duty and if so, whether this aggravation was due to the natural progression of the condition or a service-connected disorder. The Veteran's coronary artery disease preexisted his military service but developed after deployment in 1990.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service-connected left tibia/fibula stress fracture with shin splints and left heel spur.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, diastolic chronic heart failure, and essential hypertension. The issue of whether he was exposed to herbicide agents during service in Korea is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder cancer and prostate cancer, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since March 22, 2017. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and right foot gangrene status post trans tibial amputation are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and left knee disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in SMC and rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease, as well as the appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's diabetes does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, heart disability (including atrial fibrillation and CAD), and Parkinson's disease based on herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer residuals, and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of Barrett's esophagus and ischemic heart disease as they were not valid appeals under the Appeals Management Act.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 15, 2017, and March 5, 2018, for service connection were denied as the submitted evidence did not relate to any disputed elements of his claims.,The Board found that the submitted records from January 2019 did not address an element in dispute or affect the outcome of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for AFib, hypertension, IHD, shortness of breath, and OSA due to potential exposure to toxins during military service.

The Veteran's heart disability was rated at 60 percent from November 15, 2013, to April 29, 2020. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DM-II with ED and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, status post CABG, are denied as the evidence does not support the need for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease was denied, with the effective date remaining at December 9, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular condition, specifically hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial dilatation, as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus is granted effective August 10, 2022. Service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.