Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and PTSD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is advised that he needs to cooperate in providing information for his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was granted a 10 percent evaluation from December 26, 2017 to August 26, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in his evaluation beyond this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of potential radiation exposure during service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive heart disease and hypertension. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination or medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,His left knee condition is determined to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, gout (bilateral heel), heart conditions, renal cell carcinoma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria. The Veteran was granted a combined rating of 80 percent for his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease rated at 100 percent, which alone qualifies him for TDIU.

The Board has restored service connection for coronary artery disease with ventricular arrhythmia, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's appeal to restore TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus was granted effective January 5, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest scar is denied as the date of entitlement predates his November 24, 2020 claim.,The Veteran's heart disability remains at a 30% evaluation from April 1, 2021 onwards.,The Veteran's chest scarring does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in heart failure symptoms with a workload of 3.0 METs or less.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. A new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's coronary artery disease and gastrointestinal conditions.

The Veteran's right little ring finger disability is not rated higher than zero percent.,The Veteran's left ankle disability and psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's TMJ disability, bronchitis, and heart disability are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right elbow disability is remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claim for accrued benefits due to CUE in an October 2013 rating decision because he lacks standing as the Veteran did not have any pending claims at the time of his death.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is granted a rating of 60 percent, but no higher. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation.,Ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer claims are remanded due to insufficient verification of exposure to herbicide agents.

The appeal with respect to the proposed rating reduction for a left hip disorder characterized by arthritis, hip resurfacing, a femoroplasty, capsular release, and limitation of extension is dismissed. The service connection claim for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) is denied.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to whether the January 29, 2021 HLR requests for higher ratings were timely filed due to the AOJ's acceptance of these requests as timely and their subsequent review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted as a result of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, with an effective date of August 10, 2022.