Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's eligibility for Family Caregiver services was denied due to not requiring care for a minimum of six months. The Board has found that the decision is based on an error and needs to be corrected.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as due to herbicide agent exposure, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and that he now has a diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to deficiencies in the record. Specifically, additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and coronary artery disease (CAD) as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service, despite the Veteran's belief that his symptoms were related to Gulf War exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The evidence did not support finding that his active service unit was among those units presumed exposed to an herbicide agent.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that coronary artery disease did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to his service-connected IHD, atrial fibrillation, and SSS. The VA examiners concluded that there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's heart conditions cause or aggravate his COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer residuals, Cushing's syndrome, CAD, hypertension, and DMII due to exposure to various chemicals during service. The AOJ is directed to verify the Veteran's reported exposures and obtain VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied for CAD in the period prior to January 9, 2018, and from January 9, 2018 to November 1, 2019. A 60 percent rating is granted for CAD beginning November 1, 2019. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective March 23, 2018. SMC based on housebound criteria and TDIU are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a medical opinion and an incomplete review of the service department records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities need to be evaluated in relation to his discharge.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for ischemic heart disease (IHD) from November 9, 2011, to March 28, 2013, was denied. However, the Board granted a 30 percent rating effective from March 29, 2013, to August 23, 2013.,The Veteran's IHD remained at the same severity level (60%) from November 9, 2011, until August 23, 2013.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60 percent rating as of September 1, 2017. The previous ratings were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient attempts to obtain private treatment records. The appellant is asked to assist in obtaining these records and provide them to VA.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder, back disability, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand. The PACT Act of 2022 extends this presumption for veterans who served in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the PACT Act. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Other claims, including COPD and left knee disability, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base where he served.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete treatment records for myocardial infarctions of June 2015 and March 2016, which may affect the evaluation of the Veteran's coronary artery disease with ischemic cardiomyopathy.