Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and heart disability due to in-service high cholesterol, as there is an open question regarding whether the Veteran had a diagnosed heart condition prior to his death. The AOJ must obtain additional evidence related to five coronary artery bypass grafts documented in August 2018 private treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied a higher rating for service-connected coronary artery disease and dismissed an earlier effective date claim.

The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease, including as secondary to a service-connected major depressive disorder and due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The effective dates are set at September 3, 2020, as the earliest date an Intent to File was received by VA.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 16, 2022 for the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea with obstructive and central components as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is denied. The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft is denied. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for residual surgical scar anterior chest is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 100% rating for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is granted, effective from February 17, 2020. Additionally, the Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate is also granted.

The Veteran's lung cancer and ischemic heart disease, which were service-connected, contributed to his death from multifocal pneumonia. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, hyperplasia of prostate, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary abnormalities (dyspnea), and skin cancer due to a lack of clear evidence regarding herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's unit was not confirmed as being within or near the DMZ.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post bypass graft is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as they were found to be duplicative.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease/coronary heart disease (CAD) was granted a 60 percent disability rating, as evidenced by MET testing showing symptoms between 3.1 and 5 METs.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disorder has been withdrawn. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation and clarification of the Veteran's conditions.,Issues related to right hip, right shoulder, left hip, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder (to include CAD), sleep disorder (to include OSA), and chronic fatigue are being remanded for additional examination and analysis.

The Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, urinary tract disorder, low back disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are presumed to be related to his service due to herbicide exposure. However, the claims for these conditions prior to August 10, 2022, and other than under the provisions of the PACT Act, are remanded as new evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the TDIU issue. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and metastatic prostate cancer to the bone due to additional development being needed. Specifically, verification of in-service exposure to herbicides is required, and a medical opinion on the relationship between in-service toxic exposures and the Veteran's current conditions is needed.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine if the appellant qualifies for an SMP due to her need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The appellant's income was previously found to exceed the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).