Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of hypertension is denied. The Veteran's initial disability ratings for heart disability are granted, but the appeals for higher initial disability ratings within specific time periods are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, post bypass surgery (claimed as ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure) is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and prostate cancer is granted. Service connection for heart condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of multiple conditions due to the appellant's death.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease from 30 to 0 percent was improper and restored the original 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease status-post myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) is being remanded due to the AOJ not providing notice of his right to a hearing prior to the February 2022 rating action. The Board will ensure the Veteran has a reasonable period to respond and then readjudicate the claim based on the record.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not properly verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa, Japan. The case is being remanded for further verification of this claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease with stent implants is granted due to a positive nexus opinion linking the condition to his in-service exposure to particulate matter, including from burn pits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for hypothyroidism, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to in-service herbicide exposure. Ischemic heart disease remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further investigation and review due to errors in verifying the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The issues of service connection for B cell lymphoma, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and hypertensive vascular disease are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the August 2020 rating decision. The Board is instructed to obtain updated medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or not.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cause of death and burial benefits due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as unspecified natural causes, with contributory heart, renal, and vascular diseases. A TERA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides and whether there is a nexus between his conditions and this exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has found that remand is required due to the lack of private cardiology treatment records and hospital records, which are necessary to determine if an earlier effective date for the 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) can be assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for abnormal ECG with tachycardia / a heart disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's service records from November 19, 1991, to May 1994 are needed, as well as post-service VA treatment records from 1995 through February 2009, and Social Security Administration disability application records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the effective dates sought are not earlier than October 5, 2021.,For issues related to service connection, the earliest date of entitlement is considered to be October 5, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, including valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, right bundle branch block and aortic root aneurism, is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disability, low back disability, and left knee disability are also granted.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was granted with an effective date of February 15, 2017. The initial rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is secondary to his service-connected Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes Mellitus Type II. The examiner needs to address whether obesity, which may be related to the service-connected conditions, was a substantial factor in causing the OSA.