Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Veteran's post-surgical replacement of pseudoaneurysm (heart disability) has not met the criteria for a compensable rating, as it does not preclude exertion, result in cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, or cause any residual symptoms nor functional impairments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including a failure to obtain an opinion on asbestos exposure and herbicide exposure in Vietnam waters.

The Veteran's heart condition is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this secondary condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease alone precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective May 13, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, sinusitis, an eye condition (including cataracts and pseudophakia), a bilateral ear condition (including residuals of frostbite), and hammer toes due to potential errors in the initial decision-making process. Additional development is needed, including VA examinations that address the etiology of these conditions based on exposure to diesel fumes during service.

The Board has granted TDIU from January 31, 2019. However, the issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (IHD) is dismissed because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board found that his ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer treatment, and herbicide exposure did not contribute to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, RLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, heart condition, residuals of stroke, sarcoidosis, and migraine headaches due to inadequate opinions in previous VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's pancreatic cancer and its relationship to service, as well as whether coronary artery disease with unstable angina contributed to or caused the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and further review is required. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability, including hospital acquired infection, is now pending.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from March 5, 2023, to August 3, 2023, due to his service-connected disabilities including ischemic heart disease and lumbosacral strain. The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable prior to August 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show any single disability preventing the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiogenic shock, STEMI, and ventricular tachycardia. The Board has determined that the service connection for the cause of death should be remanded due to a lack of military personnel records and inadequate medical opinions regarding causation.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The claims are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes), have caused him to require the aid and attendance of another person for his activities of daily living. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed all appeals to readjudicate service connection for various conditions due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met in several cases, including TDIU, DEA benefits, service connection for coronary artery disease, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol abuse in remission and bipolar disorder is rated at the maximum available rating of 70%.