Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and numbness in the arms are not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure. The heart disorder is presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.,Hypertension is also presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypoxemia and heart disability were not caused by or aggravated by his military service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of SMC benefits based on housebound criteria being met was granted as of July 26, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran had service-connected disabilities totaling at least 70% disabling by September 16, 2005, which qualified him for SMC benefits effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, may not be effective earlier than October 14, 2009. The initial ratings for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's lung cancer claim is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition. His heart disorder and peripheral neuropathy claims are also denied due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, given his education and occupational background, from June 19, 2004, to December 13, 2011.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent prior to July 11, 2012. The disability was manifested by dyspnea, fatigue, and angina brought on by a workload of 6 METs.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, without considering his age and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disability are not related to service, while his neck disability is related. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 10 percent prior to July 15, 2010. The initial compensable ratings for PVD were assigned from November 24, 2003, to May 4, 2009. Ratings in excess of 20 percent are warranted on and after April 7, 2009, for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of all remaining claims, including service connection for residuals of a spinal injury, cataracts, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's hearing loss disability was not rated higher than non-compensable prior to September 25, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. His coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, service connection for a skin rash of the legs and groin, service connection for a prostate disorder, and service connection for hypertension have been denied. The claim for total disability benefits for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected Raynaud's syndrome has been granted a 40 percent disability rating since November 19, 2012.,Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated noncompensably (0%) disabled for her Raynaud's syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a right ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, are found to be sufficient to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are also inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.