Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for CAD and granted restoration of a 60 percent rating for CAD, effective from January 12, 2021. The claims for higher ratings for PTSD, dry mouth with tooth loss, and TDIU prior to November 9, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the issues of whether new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate claims for migraines, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, heart disability (also claimed as arrhythmia), and neck disability due to a claims processing error.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure, as he served in Thailand during the Vietnam Era. The Board found that his duties did not place him on or near the perimeters of RTAFB, but they were close enough to be presumed exposed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's death was caused by advanced coronary artery disease, which the Board found to be related to service. Service connection for cause of death is granted, and DIC benefits are dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for ruptured aortic dissection and hypertensive heart disease, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions. The cause of death was listed as ruptured aortic dissection, but there is no evidence linking this to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, COPD, and prostate disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which qualifies as presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's congestive heart failure and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy are being remanded for further development, specifically to obtain consent forms related to his treatment at the Gainesville VA Medical Center in 2015-2016.

The Veteran's CAD rating is denied for a period from October 7, 2015 to January 31, 2016 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.,An initial 20 percent rating for coronary artery bypass graft scars under DC 7804 is granted effective February 1, 2016.,The Veteran's effective date for the initial 10 percent rating for coronary artery bypass graft scars under DC 7801 is granted as October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied, as the evidence did not show functional impairment equivalent to more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.,The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder was granted a higher initial rating to 70 percent from May 24, 2010, through July 11, 2022. The maximum allowable compensation under the rating schedule is assigned after that date.,TDIU was granted prior to July 12, 2022, based on evidence showing the Veteran's inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, cervical degenerative joint disease with fusion C3-7, lumbosacral strain (low back pain), and various peripheral nerve conditions, meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate due to their combined effect on his ability to perform daily activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disabilities, including bicuspid aortic valve disease, systolic murmur, coronary artery disease (CAD), and aortic stenosis. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is being asked to provide new VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's service dates. For the left arm gunshot wound, the AOJ needs to verify if the Veteran was on active duty or inactive duty training on June 1, 1979. For rheumatic fever, an addendum opinion is needed to determine if there is a heart disability and its relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease, as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service and there is no evidence of direct causation. The claim was also denied based on lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability and anemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction and other conditions like coronary artery disease, have caused him to require the aid of another person for daily living needs prior to November 20, 2019. After that date, he is not entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his diabetes and residuals being considered a single disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process and there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these cases.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, and Parkinson's disease or essential tremors as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos during active service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, chronic renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a heart disability as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.