Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart disorder, including myocardial infarction (MI), was denied because the VA treatment did not result in an additional disability caused by negligence or fault on VA's part. The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer from an additional disability due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or other fault related to VA treatment. However, the claim for service connection was remanded as there is a new theory of entitlement based on PTSD.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence of any heart, lung, renal, or DVT condition during his military service that could have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating prior to March 31, 2018 and TDIU prior to February 1, 2017 was denied. The Veteran had chronic congestive heart failure from March 31, 2018 onwards, but the Board found that he did not have chronic congestive heart failure before this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of his service-connected atherosclerotic heart disease status-post coronary bypass surgery. The VA examiner is requested to provide an updated assessment.

The Veteran's initial ratings for supraventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease have been denied as the evidence does not show more than 4 episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia documented by an ECG or Holter monitor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his income and unreimbursed medical expenses, which may affect his eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits as of June 28, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II with peripheral neuropathy as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his time at U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's respiratory, kidney, heart, bladder, and prostate disorders are remanded for further evaluation due to exposure to toxic chemicals in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities worsened prior to September 21, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scar residual of right thumb injury is granted. Claims for chronic kidney disease, atherosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease (CAD)) and congestive heart failure (CHF), sleep apnea, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete military personnel records and a need for further development regarding asbestos exposure. The claims will be reviewed again with these additional pieces of evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinion inadequate and remands the case to obtain a new opinion regarding the Veteran's melanoma of the back, neck, and arms.

The appeal for service connection of a heart disability, including ischemic cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed as the appellant is deceased.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there is no probative evidence linking the condition to his military service. The rating for traumatic dislocation of big toe, second toe, and third toe of the left foot with apparent arthritis, ganglion cyst, hallux rigidus, and tailor's bunion, effective October 27, 2014, is granted at a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of cholecystectomy, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for these conditions were also denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease (CAD) from August 29, 2011 through April 22, 2018 was granted at a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer and TDIU was denied. The prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional records, including from service in locations exposed to herbicides. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to his military service.