Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The appeal with respect to service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to the grant of service connection by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) in September 2023. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 21, 2022, and an earlier effective date of March 1, 2024, for the 60 percent evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board granted service connection for heart condition, to include acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve regurgitation, and chronic systolic heart failure, based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease), and Parkinson's disease under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. The claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 10, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a need for further development, specifically requesting clarification from the Veteran's cardiologist regarding METs impairments in disability benefits questionnaires.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for valvular heart disease beginning April 16, 2024, and also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period on appeal.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability and cause of death due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection and initial rating claims due to a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for cardiac disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran based on his exposure to toxic substances during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for painful bilateral inguinal hernia repair scars, and remanded claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a heart disability, a gastrointestinal disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD) prior to June 8, 2023, and remanded the claim for a rating more than 60 percent.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease. The claims for renal cell carcinoma in remission and coronary artery disease were also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected HIV related illness with AIDS related opportunistic infection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected MI with CAD and atrial fibrillation associated with herbicide exposure, as the evidence did not show a workload of greater than 5.0 METs but not greater than 7.0 METs or cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for colitis, heart disease, hypertension, gout, and a kidney condition due to inadequate VA nexus opinions.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule a VA examination.