Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's death was caused by terminal renal failure, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and hypertensive heart disease. These conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability and hypertension, but the appeal for removal of a cancerous mass in the throat was withdrawn by the Veteran. The heart disorder claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than June 10, 2010 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as there was no evidence of a prior claim or denial before this date.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure, with an effective date of August 3, 2004. The rating assigned is 60% prior to September 2, 2004 and after March 23, 2011, and 30% from September 2, 2004 to March 22, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain outstanding private treatment records and to schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran did not have a pending claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure at the time of his death, and thus there is no legal basis for payment of accrued benefits.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his schizophrenia did not cause or contribute to his death and that there was no evidence linking his coronary artery disease to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine for an 80 percent rating and render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the TDIU claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and conducting a Social and Industrial Survey to assess the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if a hiatal hernia, heart condition (including stroke), or any other conditions are related to service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain updated medical records and any private treatment records related to the Veteran's heart condition, including his bypass surgery. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his service connection claim for a back disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of these other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of service and obtain additional medical records.

The RO reduced the Veteran's evaluations for coronary artery disease and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, both of which were previously rated at higher levels. The reduction was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review. The goal is to determine if a higher disability rating can be assigned for his service-connected heart block with pacemaker.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus II and coronary artery disease, both related to herbicide exposure, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his military records and private medical history.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that there is no legal basis for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (CAD). The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and extraschedular rating were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is not related to his service and denied his claim. The lung disability associated with asbestos exposure remains pending.