Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's heart disability, including his post-surgical coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), has been rated at 60 percent since September 14, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent, warranting a 60 percent rating.

The Board denied an annual clothing allowance for topical medication in 2018 because the Veteran did not use prescribed medication for a skin condition due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, but denied all other issues. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and heart disease has been reopened, and both conditions are now granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in balance regarding whether these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional procedural and evidentiary development, including verifying the exact dates of the appellant's Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) periods in his Army National Guard service. The AOJ is also instructed to adjudicate the claims on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned to his service-connected PTSD arose from his April 2011 claim to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted as of April 19, 2011.,The Veteran's appeal of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his appeal of the rating assigned to his service-connected PTSD. The effective date for a TDIU is granted as of April 19, 2011.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.,The Veteran's bibasilar atelectasis is rated at 60 percent and the appeal for an increased rating is remanded.,The cause of death (coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding the relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder other than the service-connected IBS, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorders, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of stroke are granted as secondary to his primary diagnosis, coronary artery disease. However, the initial rating for his heart disability remains at 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and renal dysfunction, and peripheral vascular disease. The decision also remanded the claim for male reproductive disorder.

The Veteran's heart conditions and diabetes mellitus, type II, are granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure during active duty.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee arthritis and heart condition (claimed as irregular heartbeat) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Epstein-Barr virus residuals is granted. The initial compensable disability rating for the right inguinal hernia repair is denied, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding chronic joint and heart disabilities potentially related to toxic exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder), but denied service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure is granted, as he served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era.

The appeal to establish the appellant timely filed a substantive appeal for TDIU and service connection for heart disorder and esophageal cancer is granted. The claim will be remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to July 3, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied because it is not factually ascertainable that the disability increased in severity within one year prior to July 3, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to June 17, 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, finding that the Veteran's current heart condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposures and experiences.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and valvular heart disease as they have been granted in a December 2023 rating decision. The case is remanded for further analysis on the claims of bifascicular block, tinnitus, and their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, COPD, CAD, and supraventricular arrhythmias under a direct theory of entitlement. The Veteran's claims are related to his participation in Project SHAD.