Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence suggesting exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Okinawa, Japan. The Veteran's spouse is seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and polycythemia.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is granted, as it was factually ascertainable within one year of the receipt of his claim that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure, a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation on electrocardiogram, echogardiogram, or X-ray. The Veteran's current LVEF is 66 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale provided for service connection of hypertension and/or hypertensive heart disease, specifically related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is found less likely than not related to service or herbicide exposure, and his hypertensive heart disease is also found less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with bypass graft does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 60 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence and diagnostic criteria.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, colitis, and pneumonia. The remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse, lower back condition, heart condition, joint condition, hypertension, headaches, abnormal weight loss, and chest pain are remanded due to conflicting evidence and incomplete information.

Your appeal for service connection of a heart disability and sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart and gastrointestinal disabilities due to additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. H., addressing lay statements regarding service-related symptoms, and considering potential toxic exposure risk activities.

Service connection is granted for chorioretinal scar of the right eye.,Service connection is granted for disc bulge at L5-S1, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and muscle spasms of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints and treatment for low back pain during active duty service, and an MRI in 2015 noted a bulging disc near L5.,The Veteran's current left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and/or lumbar radiculopathy are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to active duty service or any other condition.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of atrial septal defect status post closure and cardiomyopathy, but it is unclear if these conditions are superimposed over his congenital or developmental defects. The examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to uncorroborated stressors, but the claim for bipolar disorder and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder was granted. The claim for heart disability (atrial fibrillation with bradycardia and coronary artery disease) resulted in a 60% rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder/depressive disorder as due to his service-connected CAD is granted. The other issues related to the Veteran's CAD and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder on a direct basis, as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a link to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's lay statements were considered but found less probative than medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 60 percent disability rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG, finding that the reduction from 60 percent to 30 percent was proper due to improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) from May 1, 2018 to November 16, 2023 has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, persistent depressive disorder, and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides during active duty at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed asbestos exposure and its relation to his coronary artery disease. The Veteran seeks service connection for this condition, which is currently pending.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart condition based on toxic exposures while stationed at Fort McClellan. The right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disorder were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to new and material evidence having been received. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.