Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 30 percent from November 22, 2011 to July 23, 2014. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his METs level of 6.1 falls within the range for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his claims for a bilateral foot disorder and heart disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope with a workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs.

The Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities prior to October [redacted], 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as the condition is not related to military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an additional VA examination. The issues of service connection for heart condition, including atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease with evidence of old myocardial infarction, as well as a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are at issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 28, 2001 for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease. The earliest effective date assignable is February 28, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ were denied. The Veteran was also denied effective dates prior to April 24, 2008, for the awards of service connection for erectile dysfunction and SMC.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction is not supported by evidence showing penis deformity with loss of erectile power.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as a heart attack, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his service due to in-service herbicide exposure, and thus grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart disability, and hepatitis C, combined to make him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to his death. As such, he is granted TDIU.

The combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background beginning August 2, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to determine if he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from January 26, 2003 to September 10, 2012. The issue will be considered under both 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include reopening his PTSD claim, service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, and rating for lumbosacral sprain.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional development regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the character of his discharge. The Board of Correction of Naval Records upgraded his discharge from general court martial to under honorable conditions in February 2008, which allowed him to receive VA benefits. However, an earlier effective date was not granted as it would have been based on when he filed for correction of his military records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed. The claim of reopening a heart disability was granted, and the issue is pending further adjudication.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for reopening of the previously denied lung/ respiratory disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for acid reflux is not established.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to exposure to herbicides. The issue of prostate cancer is remanded.