Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all withdrawn claims of diabetes, right shoulder osteoarthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, coronary artery disease, and a lung disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, asthma, bilateral pes planus, back pain, sciatic pain of the lower extremities, osteoporosis, ischemic heart disease, deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, metabolic disorder (hyperlipidemia), diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hypertrophy with lower urinary symptoms, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in obtaining VA treatment records from Vista Imaging. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any of these conditions, and his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease (CAD), prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disorder secondary to prostate cancer are granted. The claim of service connection for depression is remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's heart condition and peripheral artery disease due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he claims are related to his military service and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, status post myocardial infarction, was granted in December 2017. The AOJ incorrectly paid the Veteran at the pension rate instead of the compensation rate from February 21, 2003 to August 31, 2017. The Board is remanding this issue for proper retroactive payment.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has denied an increased rating in excess of this amount.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a heart condition has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate this claim as the appellant is deceased.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA from January 1, 2012, to September 10, 2019 are granted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for purposes of accrued benefits, finding that it was not a decision subject to review by the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease (CAD) and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for depression secondary to prostate cancer is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board dismissed the appeals of claims related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, valvular heart disease, thrombocytopenia, and enlarged spleen as they were not supported by new and relevant evidence. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition, melanoma skin cancer with chemotherapy residuals, lung cancer with chemotherapy residuals, and the Veteran's cause of death due to potential exposure to toxic substances in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and a heart disorder due to issues with obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as secondary to Diabetes and/or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Further development is needed, including obtaining medical records from Dr. S.N., scheduling a VA examination, and determining if ED is due to or worsened by the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, claimed as C5-C7 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, is granted service connection. The appeal for increased rating of coronary artery disease remains pending. Service connection for lymph node and gall bladder conditions due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient workload assessment in terms of METs for the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease associated with hypertension from July 29, 1993, to April 6, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.