Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to October 25, 2021.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II and heart disease are granted service connection as they are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 21, 2003, for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease/spondylosis due to clear and unmistakable error in the July 2009 rating decision was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 21, 2016, for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with stent placement and valvular heart disease was denied.,Initial compensable ratings for peripheral vascular disease (PVD), right lower extremity (RLE), and left lower extremity (LLE), were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective April 21, 2021. The appeal for increased ratings prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for hypothyroidism was denied as the earliest possible date for which service connection may be awarded is July 6, 2021.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart problem, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease and old myocardial infarction, is not found to be secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.,The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.

The appeal of service connection for blisters, cervical strain, incontinence, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the VA Form 10182 was submitted after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in a September 2022 Rating Decision is dismissed as the contesting claimant has waived her eligibility for fees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for CAD, DMII, PCT, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to DMII, and stroke as secondary to DMII due to a lack of consideration on the merits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A VA examiner will be needed to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the inadequate September 2023 VA examination and has therefore remanded the case for an addendum examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied as there was no pending unadjudicated claim at the time of his May 2019 increased rating claim for PTSD.

An effective date of August 13, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for residual scars on the right and left sides of the neck is granted.,An effective date prior to March 6, 2019, for the assignment of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied.,An effective date prior to October 18, 2020, for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 6, 2019, for coronary artery disease is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and neck condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (CLJW). The evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and active service or CLJW.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart condition and prostate condition due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's exposure to toxic substances during service is conceded, but VA needs to provide an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, effective from December 13, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease renders him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.