Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, hemorrhoids, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, iliotibial strain of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, Graves' disease and irritable bowel syndrome and gastroenteritis have been granted increased ratings. TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and basic eligibility for DEA have also been granted effective as of May 23, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease with atrial fibrillation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. Additional development is needed, including verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure and an addendum medical opinion on the relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation for coronary artery disease status post angioplasty is granted. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for CAD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and leukemia due to potential in-service toxic exposures. The AOJ is instructed to develop evidence related to these claims, including obtaining TERA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of extraschedular criteria.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded as it requires a new opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The numbness of the bilateral legs is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, which are presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure, contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death. The benefit sought is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further evaluation. The initial ratings for bronchial asthma with bronchitis, erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, left carotid artery blockage status post endarterectomy, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), double bypass heart surgery with lower heart valve replacement, painful sternotomy scar secondary to heart surgery, hyperlipidemia, type two diabetes mellitus (DM-II), chronic sinusitis, recurrent colonic polyps, left middle finger condition, and left ring finger condition are also remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. His coronary artery disease is granted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 27, 2024, but denied for ratings exceeding 30 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for CAD due to incomplete records in the VistA imaging system and outstanding VA treatment records.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU prior to March 30, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents, radioactive compounds, chemical warfare agents, and/or PCBs during active duty at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence from the PACT Act, requiring a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's causes of death are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC have been granted with effective dates of November 3, 2017. The conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus to obtain further evidence regarding in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding development of claims for increased ratings for PTSD and CAD. The remand may affect the consideration of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 10, 2022, for the grant of service connection for his conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed for service connection, and additional evidence is needed regarding his exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease, both potentially related to exposure to Agent Orange, are remanded due to lack of evidence on the issue.