Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 80%, meeting the threshold percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, despite this, VA medical opinions indicate that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been increased to 100 percent effective from March 29, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic nephropathy, neurogenic bladder, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and lower extremities, and type II diabetes mellitus with nonproliferative retinopathy, cataracts, onychomycosis, and impotence, require regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease with Prinzmetal's angina, finding it presumptively related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The effective date is set at August 31, 2010.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal issues, eye problems, and gastrointestinal issues. The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are necessary to address the nature and etiology of these claims.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing or videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's CAD is granted as service connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease are dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's conditions, including diabetes and its related complications, are not service connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection based on lack of evidence showing onset or causation in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, claimed as dysrhythmia and/or ischemic heart disease, including due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease since January 8, 2010. The Veteran's condition is characterized by dyspnea, fatigue, angina, and dizziness with a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted on a presumptive basis due to his Vietnam-era exposure. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted, but the specific disability evaluation remains pending as new VA examinations are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the appellant. The claim for traumatic brain injury is dismissed due to withdrawal by the representative.

The Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to a period of qualifying service. The Board finds that the evidence does not show any herbicide exposure during his military service, and thus cannot establish presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease under VA regulations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he claims is due to his exposure to herbicides in service. The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's alleged exposures and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease, and thus denied his claim for service connection for ishemic heart disease. The carotid artery disease with stroke residuals was also denied as there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The heart disorder claim remains pending as it involves secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of addendum opinions to address his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post triple bypass graft, was not manifested by more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or a workload greater than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. Therefore, he is not entitled to a rating higher than 60 percent for this condition from July 16, 2012.