Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected heart condition and whether his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, iritis, allergies, nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and lip rash are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and right ankle disability make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues are about service connection for a left index finger disability and an initial rating for hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), tinnitus, right leg neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, hemorrhoids, scleroderma, left eyebrow scar, and erectile dysfunction (ED) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Veteran's treatment at Scottsdale Shea Medical Center from April 9, 2012 to April 13, 2012 was for a continued medical emergency and the VA has granted payment or reimbursement of the expenses.

The Veteran's lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and brain cancer are all found to be related to his service due to exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims, including medical records from his treatment facilities during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 1, 2013 and no higher than 30 percent on and after August 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability decision records. The Veteran's lumbar spine claim must be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder claims are being remanded for additional development to obtain treatment records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examination and medical opinion to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The appellant asserts that Meniere's disease caused her husband's death, but VA medical opinions are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been granted a 60% rating from November 1, 2010 to June 17, 2014 and again from August 1, 2014. The Veteran is also granted TDIU due to his prostate cancer, heart, and right leg disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disability during service or within one year after separation, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence that a claim was filed prior to July 22, 1988. The earliest legally assignable effective date is July 22, 1988.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IHD and type II diabetes mellitus are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, which is presumed for Vietnam Era veterans. The neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction have not been addressed by the Board.

The Board has received notification from the appellant's representative that they wish to withdraw their appeal for entitlement to service connection for a right inguinal hernia. As such, this issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for ischemic heart disease were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent, effective August 12, 2014. The ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are maintained. A TDIU rating is granted.