Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was received on July 11, 2011, which is within one year of the effective date of August 31, 2010. Therefore, the earliest effective date allowed by VA regulations is August 31, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and seeking an addendum opinion from a cardiologist to address whether the Veteran's heart disease is related directly to his military service.

The Veteran's service records do not show a current heart disability, and the VA examiners have found no evidence of one. The Board therefore finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia and coronary artery disease, necessitate aid and attendance of another person due to his need for medication compliance. As a result, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims require additional information and evidence, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent prior to November 12, 2013. After that date, the rating increased to 60 percent and then to 100 percent effective June 19, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is service-connected due to its aggravation by in-service exposures, including sandstorms and burning oil wells. The issue of whether his CAD was aggravated by his now service-connected COPD remains pending.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private vocational rehabilitation records, arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of obesity, and scheduling a VA Social Industrial Survey to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service exposure to hazardous chemicals, including TCE at McConnell Air Force Base.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal in favor of receiving a TDIU effective January 1, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar of the face and forehead as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions in July 2015. The Veteran's current cardiac disability and hypertension are being reviewed by an appropriate physician to determine their relationship with his service.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scars associated with skin cancer. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes, coronary artery disease with cardiac valvulopathy (CAD), and transient ischemic attack associated with hypertension (TIA) have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to establish that his left and right ear hearing loss are related to service, with aggravation beyond normal progression of the disease by noise exposure in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted it. However, service connection was denied for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and neck disorder as the appellant did not become disabled by these conditions during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension/hypertensive vascular disease, and heart disease due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records.