Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot conditions, a heart condition, and restless leg syndrome due to further development being necessary. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable for the entire appeal period, and a TDIU award was granted. The issues of increased ratings for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for erectile dysfunction, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed as moot.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury is granted. The appeal as to entitlement to service connection for melanoma is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and Parkinson's disease due to exposure at Fort McClellan (FTMC) during active duty. The claim for secondary service connection for schizoaffective disorder is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease on a presumptive basis as the Veteran was diagnosed with this condition during his active duty and later in life.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, CAD, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's presence in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos is unclear, and VA failed to conduct necessary research into his claimed exposure.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to the claims of service connection for diabetes, heart condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), left knee condition, and right knee condition. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, residuals of head and face injury, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), chronic stomach disability, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, and sleep disorder.

The Board denied service connection for heart and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure near the DMZ and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected valvular heart disease, implanted cardiac pacemaker and heart block with mild LV hypertrophy effective from July 17, 2023. The effective date is based on the factually ascertainable increase in the Veteran's condition as of that date.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 31, 2021 for the grant of a TDIU due to service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease. The Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to this effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Veteran's residuals of bladder cancer with chronic kidney disease and urinary incontinence are rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability remains at 20 percent. A TDIU from September 8, 2021 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer residuals, and immunoglobulin deficiency are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to his current combined rating of 60 percent, which does not include any permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without assistive devices or loss of use of both upper or lower extremities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, including its relationship to service and toxic exposure risk activities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, heart, weakness and balance, and sleep disabilities due to Gulf War Illness. The VA is instructed to ensure that all records are complete and correct, obtain missing service treatment records from December 1990 to May 1991, and schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, as he was previously denied in a May 2016 rating decision. The appeals are now pending and require further development including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and various types of neuropathy due to a lack of evidence supporting exposure to herbicide agents or toxic chemicals during the Veteran's military service.