Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected back condition and his hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his CAD, which contributed to his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 30 percent since January 26, 2004 and at 60 percent from November 28, 2005 to December 7, 2006, and from April 1, 2007. The Board found that a higher rating was warranted for the period from November 28, 2005 to December 20, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The effective date for this rating is October 29, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radiation therapy with urinary incontinence; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; and for entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only. The Board also determined that a cerebrovascular accident was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is no evidence showing a direct link between the peripheral neuropathy and military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cause of death and determined that a disability incurred in or aggravated by service contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right bundle branch block (a form of ischemic heart disease) is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded as it requires further development.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus the presumptive provisions for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease do not apply. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuing a Statement of the Case for the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for his claim of service connection for coronary artery disease. The CAD claim is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The issue of whether the combined disability evaluation was properly calculated under 38 C.F.R. � 4.25 is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and the collective evidence on the question of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have since prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment is relatively evenly balanced.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 60 percent prior to February 6, 2012 and in excess of 60 percent from June 1, 2012. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The propriety of reducing his 100 percent rating to 30 percent effective March 1, 2008 was also denied.

The Veteran's request for hearings has been addressed, and the case is being remanded due to his unavailability. The Board will schedule a videoconference hearing on April 1, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals in a March 2016 letter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was a contributory cause of his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder in service or within one year after discharge, and the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service.