Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions are service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any past or present heart condition and service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

Prior to April 1, 2021, the Veteran's heart disability was rated at 30 percent.,As of April 1, 2021, the Veteran's heart disability is now rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease prior to January 19, 2017 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's painful scar associated with his coronary artery bypass graft is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's dental disability for treatment purposes is denied as there was no in-service trauma or chronic condition related to service. The heart and erectile dysfunction claims are both considered unknown due to insufficient evidence.,There is no clear indication of a current heart disability, and the claim cannot be established as secondary to a dental disability or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, a disability claimed as rheumatoid arthritis and/or tendonitis, prostate cancer, and an eye disorder (claimed as wearing glasses). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin condition, heart condition, seizure disorder, and headache condition due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral heel spurs, right knee disability, and heart condition (mitral valve prolapse) due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's heart disability is rated at 60 percent since February 24, 2021. The rating is based on the METs level of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for COPD, CAD, and hypertension are granted due to their aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The cause of death (septic shock due to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection) is attributed to the underlying disease (coronary atherosclerosis), which is service-connected.,Initial ratings for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's heart disorder is not service-connected as it is attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of sinoatrial node dysfunction with implanted cardiac pacemaker, and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disorder (supraventricular tachycardia) is not related to active duty service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease, stroke with left-sided weakness, seizure disorder, left visual impairment, and left auditory impairment are not service-connected as they were either preexisting conditions or did not manifest during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and prostate cancer residuals, finding that the conditions were not linked to active service or exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his coronary artery disease with angina pectoris. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the initial rating claim.

The Veteran's heart conditions are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further adjudication regarding substitution of the appellant, and will determine if the Veteran's son is eligible to continue the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease as due to herbicide exposure. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected Parkinson's disease, is remanded.