Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's heart disease was rated at 10 percent prior to May 30, 2013 and is now granted a 60 percent rating.,The Veteran's skin disability (psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis) has been granted a 60 percent rating effective from the date of claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's earlier effective date claim for service connection of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date than August 31, 2010. The issue of a compensable initial evaluation for left chest coronary artery bypass grafting scar was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted effective October 28, 2009. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to multiple disabling conditions.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, for accrued benefits purposes and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, for accrued benefits purposes. As such, these matters are dismissed.

The Veteran's heart disease is being reviewed due to a recent hospitalization, and additional medical records are needed for an accurate determination. The case will be remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis. The Veteran's organic heart disease (atrial fibrillation) is also considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's left knee disorder, right knee arthritis, and atrial fibrillation based on direct evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's heart disease and respiratory disorder were not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or asbestos. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2012. The initial rating for PTSD was increased from 10 percent to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and personnel records. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disability was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The proximate cause was attributed to the Veteran's own actions (such as smoking and exercise against medical advice).

The Board has ordered another remand due to insufficient search for records related to the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and verification of his service connection claim.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disorder, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 18, 2014, to March 18, 2016. Therefore, his claim for TDIU during this period is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a direct service connection for the Veteran's heart disorder and denied both his claims for service connection. The Board concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's in-service symptoms and his current condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have resulted from herbicide exposure, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical and vocational assessments to determine his functional limitations caused by his service-connected rheumatic heart disease, as well as its impact on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and heart disorder (claimed as CAD) due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and mononucleosis were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for coronary artery disease is denied because the condition did not onset in service or within one year of separation, and there is no link to service. The claim for residuals of a third rib fracture remains service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, aortic aneurism, PTSD, and other disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no final decision on the merits of the case has been made.