Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

An earlier effective date of March 23, 2022, but no earlier, is granted for the awards of service connection for AAA, tremors, chronic kidney disease, and ED.,The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected chronic kidney disease is now 30 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to a failure to verify all periods of service. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) from November 1, 2019. The evidence shows that the Veteran's left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 38 to 55 percent meets the criteria for a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with chronic congestive heart failure and Type II diabetes mellitus. The appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition, heart condition, hypertension, left arm condition, and right arm condition have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions that began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no credible evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's bradycardia is granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. From September 21, 2023, the Veteran's CAD has been rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the surviving spouse is advised to resubmit her request for substitution at the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection claims for DM2, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the LLE and RLE, and CAD are all granted. The aortic aneurysm claim is remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for chronic renal disease and hypertensive heart disease, which the Board has accepted. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for cardiac disability, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his current disability level is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus are all granted service connection. The claims for these conditions were reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertensive heart disease is denied because the date entitlement arose (January 27, 2020) is later than the date of the claim (May 22, 2020).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is now service-connected based on in-service noise exposure and current disability.,Service connection for diabetes was denied due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or a presumptive link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the effective dates and initial ratings of service connection for hypertension, bradycardia, coronary artery disease, and COPD. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted with an effective date of February 20, 2020.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.