Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent from March 4, 2010 to August 1, 2019 and 60 percent thereafter. The effective date for service connection of asthma is granted as of March 4, 2010. The effective date for service connection of valvular heart disease is denied.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for hypertension based on the PACT Act presumption is also granted.,Service connection is granted for left hand numbness and right hand numbness as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded as it was not decided under the presumptive basis of herbicide agent exposure. Service connection based on other theories remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for Parkinson's disease and hypertension are remanded as the Veteran may have had exposure in Guam, which could qualify him under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,Claims for effective dates earlier than March 17, 2023, for CAD, ED, and tinnitus have been denied as there was no prior intent to file a claim before that date.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is not being readjudicated due to the law change allowing VA to grant this claim on August 10, 2022.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been denied as it was awarded based on the effective date for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD, hypertension, back disability, and neck disability, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow any form of gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or illness and insufficient evidence to establish herbicide agent exposure. The current condition is not presumed due to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), prostate cancer and residuals, and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection has also been granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to DMII.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for multiple myeloma with chronic renal disease is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's athlete's foot and pityriasis versicolor were granted service connection. Service connection for chloracne, bilateral hearing loss, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right shoulder disability, heart disability, mycosis fungoides, and scars are denied.

The Veteran's heart disease, which was service-connected on a secondary basis due to hypertension, is considered the contributory cause of his death from respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Service connection for the cause of death has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he has a 100% schedular rating for ischemic heart disease and SMC benefits based on statutory housebound status due to other service-connected disabilities, rendering the TDIU claim moot.

The Veteran's service connection for bladder cancer was granted in July 2021, and the appeal is dismissed as it has been fully granted. The issues of increased rating for coronary artery disease status post MI and PCI and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a right leg amputation secondary to DM, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issues include bilateral eye disability, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, heart disability, and arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining missing records and making a substitution determination. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition as secondary to his non-service-connected hypertension. The Veteran was not service connected for hypertension, and therefore, he could not establish service connection for a heart disability on a secondary basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for aortic valve insufficiency with cardiomyopathy, now including other conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted a rating of 100 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for insomnia is granted. The Veteran's sleep disorder is secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right foot, and left foot disorders are also being remanded.