Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted. The CAD claim remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected IHD and for scheduling an IHD examination. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability and his claim for service connection for a heart disability. The decision is not clear on whether these claims are about service connection or just about rating adjustments.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a diagnosis of these conditions within one year after discharge. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by credible evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional medical records being added to the Veteran's claims file after the May 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The AOJ needs to review these new records and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board denied an effective date prior to January 26, 2017 for the grant of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran's claim was re-adjudicated in a final April 2014 decision that considered new and material evidence submitted during the appeal period. There was no factually ascertainable date of increase of CAD to warrant a 60 percent rating within one year prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board denied increased ratings for coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 14, 2015 and a rating in excess of 60 percent from October 14, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, Type II and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular condition (ischemic heart disease), and tinnitus have been granted. The decision also remanded the claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability was granted, and the reduction in his coronary artery disease rating from 60% to 10% was found to be improper.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, heart condition characterized by a heart murmur, hypertension, and chronic musculoskeletal disease to include swollen joint disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service or an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease is denied. The criteria for entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from January 25, 2012 to February 12, 2012 and a compensable rating from June 1, 2012 have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in service, specifically during his time at Nam Phong, Thailand. As a result, the Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as his left ventricular ejection fraction is at least 55% and he does not have more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or a workload greater than three METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease and PTSD were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including her right ankle injury, bilateral foot and knee conditions, heart condition, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The decision also notes that additional evidence is needed for these cases.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease or coronary artery disease due to exposure to chemicals and toxins. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's CAD began during active service, is related to an incident of service, or began within one year after discharge from active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand, is being remanded. The Board notes the need for additional evidence regarding herbicide exposure and directs further development.