Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for coronary artery disease remains pending as the AOJ needs to conduct further research into potential herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis for the period from March 23, 2009 to December 13, 2016 is granted as his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The service connection claim for a back disability as secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to December 15, 2020 is denied. A 100 percent disability rating for CAD beginning December 15, 2020 is granted.,The Veteran's request for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 15, 2020 is remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in VA examiner opinions regarding the Veteran's METs level and COPD diagnosis. The case is returned for further clarification from a qualified clinician.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals, including erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, as well as a heart condition (claimed as coronary artery/ischemic heart disease) due to herbicide exposure are all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection and rating for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, heart condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and neck condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his thoracic aortic aneurysm, heart condition (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and respiratory condition. The VA is directed to obtain medical records from non-VA providers and provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination to address these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that his in-service toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) caused his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal during a hearing.

The Board found that new evidence did not support reopening the claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's previous claim of bladder cancer service connection was later determined to be in error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for PTSD and heart condition, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 1, 2022 for a 100% rating for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease was denied. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is also dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a 100% rating.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease, as previous opinions did not consider his lay statements and appellant's testimony.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to include as due to service-connected disabilities or treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder is related to his military service, specifically considering exposure to gases other than tear gas.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU and DEA. The Board has remanded these claims due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was initially granted with an effective date of June 27, 2023, but later amended to September 9, 2021. He is now seeking earlier consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted service connection prior to August 10, 2022, on a direct basis due to in-service hazardous material exposure. The effective date for DEA benefits remains September 20, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed heart disability, including as due to herbicide exposure. The current evidence does not provide sufficient opinions on the relationship between any diagnosed heart disabilities and active duty service or herbicide exposure.