Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2016 calendar year due to wear and tear associated with the Veteran's use of a wheelchair, which is used as part of his treatment for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with erectile dysfunction and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of regulation of activities by a physician.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no evidence of congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction between 30 and 50 percent, or workload less than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and kidney failure. The claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and/or diabetes caused or contributed to his death. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has found the prior opinions inadequate and requires additional clarification regarding the Veteran's chest pain and heart conditions. The Veteran needs to undergo an addendum opinion from a VA examiner that addresses her in-service risk factors for cardiac conditions, including obesity and high cholesterol, as well as her contention of symptoms beginning during service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, as well as service connection for a respiratory disability, joint disability/arthralgia, tremor disability, and ischemic heart disease.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence supporting their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease prior to May 26, 2021 was denied as the evidence did not support an evaluation higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic left bundle branch block and hypertensive heart disease, as well as for vertebral stroke, were denied by the Board.,For chronic left bundle branch block and hypertensive heart disease, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 10, 2020, or in excess of 60 percent as of July 10, 2020, is not warranted. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent prior to January 30, 2017 and granted a 60 percent rating from January 30, 2017. The claim for a higher rating after March 4, 2021 is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's heart disorder, including paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a cardiologist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip osteoarthritis due to insufficient evidence in the May 2021 VA examiner's opinion.,Service connection is not granted for a heart disorder (chest pains) or hypertension as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to new VA medical records being associated with his case and not reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran was given a chance to respond, but did not do so.

The Veteran is granted a 100% rating for his coronary artery disease from March 16, 2010 to June 16, 2010. A higher initial rating of over 10% for CAD prior to January 12, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his overall disability picture, which does not meet the specific eligibility requirements.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, prostate cancer, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to schedular eligibility for the period prior to July 26, 2010 is denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined evaluation of 30 percent. The appeal for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and low back condition are remanded.

The Veteran's heart disorder is rated at 60% from June 23, 2017 to September 9, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this period and for TDIU prior to September 10, 2020 remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion and scheduling a VA examination to assess his diagnosed conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and arthritis, but the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension. The appeal is also granted in part, as the Veteran's coronary artery disease is now service-connected. However, the issue of whether hypertension is secondary to coronary artery disease remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, lung disability (asbestosis), and fatigue due to potential exposure to asbestos during service.