Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding his heart condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the S-1 rate after August 1, 2017 is denied. The VA determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating for CAD due to lack of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30%. Additionally, his SMC benefits at the S-1 rate are denied as he no longer has a service-connected disability rated at 100%.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates, including his service-connected chronic headaches and coronary artery disease. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records and an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's heart disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his heart disorder, hypertension, cystitis with episodic incontinence, and traumatic epididymitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD and cognitive disorder. The appeals are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease has been rated at 30 percent since prior to November 23, 2011. The appeal is granted for this rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma and PTSD have been successfully reopened, and both conditions are now considered well-grounded. The remaining issues related to the lumbar spine, neurological condition, right knee, thoracic rib area, hip conditions, hearing loss, heart condition/murmur, and high blood pressure remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for nasal obstruction and chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease (cardiovascular), and hypertension are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of multiple joints. The claims are being reviewed to determine if there is evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other contaminants during service in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding total disability rating based on unemployability, a higher rating for PTSD, and a higher rating for IHD. The Board dismissed these issues as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied, but the VA granted it effective from October 21, 2004. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions including bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, heart disorder, sleep apnea, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and GERD. The effective dates for awards are not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his timely substantive appeal was not filed within the required time frame, and no waiver of timeliness is warranted.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of cases affected by the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, including the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues are remanded to allow for a respiratory VA examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and opinions to address the etiology of various conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not related to exposure to herbicide agents or the PACT Act.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms including memory impairment and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD), status post myocardial infarction and CABG, was denied. The Veteran's CAD associated with hypertension is granted an initial rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's CAD with MI was granted a 100% rating from June 15, 2012 to the present.