Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board found that the heart disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral tinea pedis. The rating assigned was 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a 2005 VA heart examination report, and to determine whether it is available or if efforts to obtain it would be futile.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest possible level (70%), and he is also entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted TDIU status.

The Veteran's claim for heart disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a cardiologist.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, with a 100% disability rating effective August 5, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for ischemic heart disease was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and review of his medical records, as the current evaluation for ischemic heart disease may be inadequate. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's heart disability is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, but the claim must still be reviewed for direct service connection. The VA will need to obtain updated medical records and provide a new examination to determine if the condition was incurred during service or related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be secondary to his alcohol and drug abuse, which has led to a rating of 50 percent for the period from February 24, 2011 to February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, as due to exposure to herbicides, is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has a current disability for VA purposes and his cancer was causally or etiologically related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from January 1, 2011, to September 2, 2014, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective February 1, 2011. The RO found that there was improvement in his PTSD symptoms but did not establish it as permanent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran does not have hypertension or a heart disorder other than rheumatic valvular heart disease that is related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, all secondary to chemical exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU remains open and the case is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was not granted for coronary artery disease as there was no medical nexus between the current condition and active service.