Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of cardiovascular and respiratory disabilities due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, claimed as coronary artery disease, and hypertension prior to August 10, 2022. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between these conditions and service.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) and total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted, with the effective date set to October 17, 2023. The veteran is also entitled to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart condition, and a left knee disability. The Board will consider new evidence submitted after March 2023.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and cervical spine disability were dismissed. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied, as well as the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for hypertension was granted under the PACT Act.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to inadequate development of the claim regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The claims for hypertension and renal failure were remanded.

Service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus is granted on a direct basis prior to August 10, 2022. The issues of higher initial ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The veteran's heart disability is service-connected due to a psychiatric condition. The claim for a compensable rating for the right index finger was withdrawn. Claims for bilateral calcaneus heel spurs, bilateral tibial stress fracture, and tinea versicolor with toenail fungus were dismissed.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for respiratory and heart disabilities to obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's heart disability, including stable angina with heart block cardiomyopathy and cardiac pacemaker, was granted as secondary to hypertension. The effective date for this service connection is set at April 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, including sleep apnea, valvular heart disease, left knee quadriceps tendonitis, hiatal hernia with GERD, right upper extremity acquired psychogenic pain disorder, and SMC based on Aid and Attendance/housebound criteria. The AOJ is required to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to obtain an opinion from an environmental toxicologist regarding the Veteran's claimed exposures.

The Board denied service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart Disease, finding no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea. The chronic disease presumption was not applicable due to lack of showing of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to an administrative error, as the same issues were already adjudicated under a different docket number. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU have been addressed in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeals to reduce the disability ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, supraventricular arrhythmia (heart condition), and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve were dismissed because the proposed reductions had not been finalized in a final VA decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death and contributory causes. The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to interstitial lung disease, which may be related to asbestos exposure, but other conditions like chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension are also considered.

The Board and the Court have both denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of May 5, 1994, for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) for accrued benefits purposes. The decision is dismissed as a free-standing claim cannot be raised after finality.

The Board has remanded several claims, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service records indicate possible exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could support a presumption of exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeals for effective dates prior to August 10, 2022 for service connection of hypertension, hypertensive heart disease with ventricular heart disease (heart disability), and chronic kidney disease. The appeal was also dismissed regarding entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits and TDIU.