Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral nuclear cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and heart disability due to potential errors in satisfying a regulatory or statutory duty.

The Veteran's claims for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 3, 2019 and basic eligibility to DEA based on permanent and total disability status prior to December 3, 2019 are being remanded due to the AOJ's failure to refer these matters to the VA Director of Compensation and Pension for a determination.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, diabetes, IBS, and a genitourinary disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain VA opinions regarding herbicide exposure and its relation to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from December 19, 2019 to May 16, 2020. A TDIU rating has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of pericarditis and heart disease, PTSD, and post-surgical scars. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran filed disability claims prior to July 17, 2022.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and Hypertension, as well as secondary service connection for these conditions due to non-service connected Hepatitis C. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) effective April 3, 2013. The Veteran's original claim was received in December 1996, but the earliest diagnosis of IHD occurred on April 3, 2013.

The Veteran's entitlement to a 30 percent rating for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to June 6, 2019 is granted. The appeal for a higher rating between June 6, 2019 and August 30, 2019 is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand and granted service connection for ischemic heart disease. The issue of secondary service connection for scars status post heart surgery as related to ischemic heart disease is remanded due to a lack of medical examination. The issue of direct service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, is also remanded.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 26, 2023, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to internal inconsistencies in the VA medical examinations and a need for further examination to determine if any diagnosed heart conditions are presumptively related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The effective date of the 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease is set at May 4, 2018. The earlier effective date for loss of teeth secondary to Hodgkin's disease is granted but no earlier than October 19, 2011.

A 100 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability and obstructive sleep apnea on the basis of secondary service connection, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or related to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and adjustment disorder, respectively.

Effective January 31, 2012, the Veteran was granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment before September 22, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and low back disability, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for hypertension and denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim was also denied as there was no inferred or formal claim prior to November 22, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal on the issues of lung disorder and heart disability service connection has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as he is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board also grants secondary service connection for a heart condition to include hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.