Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a heart disorder, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure during service in Korea. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claim of exposure to herbicides near the Korean DMZ.

The Veteran's service-connected organic brain syndrome and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from the hazards of his daily environment, resulting in an award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability, including palpitations, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the symptoms and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions and the need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, insomnia, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), spinal stenosis, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, any acquired psychiatric condition, and right elbow condition have been granted. The claims of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for non-hodgkin lymphoma, type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery bypass graft was denied, and the Board has remanded this issue. The Veteran is also not entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or TDIU.

The Veteran's testicular disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer, effective August 10, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension for VA purposes and to obtain a VA examination to determine if it is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) as the evidence did not show it was incurred during or related to active service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,Service connection for the left knee disorder is denied because it did not have its onset in service and is not caused or aggravated by his service connected right knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from November 27, 2012, to February 24, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are granted as due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service.,Heart disorder (to include cardiomyopathy) and eye disorder (to include dry eyes and macular degeneration) issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from February 15, 2012 to January 23, 2020 due to incomplete information and records. The Veteran's federal employment records need to be obtained, including supervisor names and any relevant administrative or medical records.

The appeal for TDIU from October 15, 2018 to January 31, 2019 is dismissed as moot. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected gout.,The Veteran's hypertensive cardiomyopathy with chronic systolic heart failure (heart conditions) is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy was granted an effective date of October 17, 2007. From November 12, 2014 to November 22, 2020, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD).,From November 12, 2014 to November 22, 2020, the Veteran was also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure. The heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disabilities, including coronary artery disease and paroxysmal heart arrhythmia, are service-connected based on direct evidence of a nexus to his active duty service.