Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused or aggravated his obesity, and subsequently led to his fatal myocardial infarction and/or ischemic heart disease. The case is being returned for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a qualified cardiologist's examination, and the Veteran needs to be examined by one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have potentially increased in severity, and current examinations are needed to accurately assess the current level of severity. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to November 9, 2020 is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim for a determination on whether the Veteran's heart condition is related to his active duty service, including any verified exposures. The Veteran also needs an opinion regarding whether his heart condition is caused or aggravated by other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to incomplete information in the January 2022 VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not manifest during active duty or be related to service. The service-connected left hip and knee arthritis disabilities were found not to have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60% rating effective February 7, 2017. He also received TDIU prior to January 29, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of his heart disease. The Board requests a new VA examination and investigation into potential service-related exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart disability are reopened. The Board finds remand necessary to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Germany and to obtain an examination to assess his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and requesting a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's March 2002 death was related to his service, specifically elevated blood pressure during service.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on July 14, 2014, at CCC due to the lack of authorization by VA and the absence of a medical emergency.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, as his heart does not exhibit chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 21, 1981 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Court reversed the Board's finding that the Veteran's October 1981 claim did not encompass a CAD claim.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disorder as secondary to hypertension, finding that the Veteran's preexisting hypertension did not worsen during service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and heart disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The claim for service connection for residuals of rocket fragment to the left side of his head has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The effective date is not earlier than August 13, 2012.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of August 13, 2012. An increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure has been granted. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and other conditions have not yet been resolved.,Service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral elbow arthritis remains pending.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any currently present heart disability, as well as the issue of service connection based on secondary service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and an inadequate addendum medical opinion.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence from heart surgery due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.