Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical inquiry into the service connection claim for heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records. The current severity of his coronary artery disease with history of bypass surgery will be assessed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and no allegations of error remain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to address the current severity of his CAD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran is evaluated as totally and permanently disabled due to coronary artery disease, effective January 24, 2002. The appellant's period of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits ended on January 24, 2010, which was after his 31st birthday. Therefore, the appellant does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease was denied because the earliest communication from him expressing an intent to file a claim occurred on July 5, 2005. The effective date of the award cannot be earlier than this date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease, including CAD and myocardial infarction residuals, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2, renal failure, and heart disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicides while in service.,Service connection is established for the following conditions: Prostate Cancer (due to Agent Orange exposure), Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (due to Agent Orange exposure), Renal Failure (due to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus), and Heart Disorder (due to Service-Connected Diabetes Mellitus).

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, including service connection for heart disability, hearing loss, anxiety, depression, special monthly pension based on being housebound, and nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to have its onset in service and therefore service connection is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, effective from January 10, 2007. His CAD is rated at 60 percent, shell fragment wound to the left lower extremity at 30 percent, scars with retained fragments on the right temple and occiput at 30 percent, and scars of the left foot, left knee and lower leg (right amputation stump) at 10 percent. The Board has granted TDIU effective from January 10, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted. He is now in receipt of a compensable evaluation for his varicose veins, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right thigh scar, and secondary service connection for his heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for a video conference hearing as requested in his November 2015 VA Form 9. The AOJ must schedule the Veteran for this hearing and provide appropriate advance written notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, tinnitus, and heart disorder were denied. The appeals are based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. His coronary artery disease does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for left ankle sprain and service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no legal merit to either claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the previously denied claims had not been final, and recharacterized them as new and material issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA heart examination to evaluate the severity of his coronary artery disease (CAD) disability and clarification on whether he meets the requirements for a TDIU.