Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected coronary heart disease was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year prior to March 31, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was denied because he did not meet the criteria for permanent housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased within one year prior to March 31, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is entitled to SMC under certain provisions of the VA regulations, but the RO needs to clarify which service-connected disabilities are the basis for these awards. The Appellant argues that separate grants should have been awarded under other provisions as well.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of entitlement to service connection for ED secondary to service-connected CAD and DM due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA medical opinions obtained were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's ED was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, nor did they consider the potential aggravation of ED by herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his valvular heart disease, including mild aortic stenosis and hypertensive heart disease, is related to his active service, specifically herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error prior to the date of the AOJ's January 2021 rating decision. The Veteran has established she has a current heart condition, and her service record includes complaints and treatments for a heart condition. However, the Board is without medical expertise to make a determination regarding the nexus of the Veteran's current heart condition. Therefore, a remand is necessary to obtain a medical examination and opinion regarding the nexus.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, SDB and OSA, and headaches due to their being proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims are based on secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim will be reconsidered with this additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of a heart condition and erectile dysfunction, finding no unadjudicated formal or informal claims prior to October 20, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) prior to August 10, 2022, due to herbicide agent exposure on a facts-found basis under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (upper and lower extremities), erectile dysfunction, vestibular disability, skin condition, heart condition, and respiratory condition are remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral kidney condition is remanded as it may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and heart condition, including arrhythmia, bradycardia with right bundle branch block, cardiovascular symptoms, heart failure, and cardiac arrest, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease, heart disease, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability is rated at 100 percent effective November 29, 2016. The earlier effective date of November 29, 2016 for SMC based on aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a heart disability and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for his left chest scar.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, angina, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service or a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right foot drop, neuropathy is denied. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% rating from September 13, 2023.