Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of coronary artery disease prior to July 7, 2011 has been withdrawn. The case is remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate his current heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection and a TDIU prior to September 14, 2011 has been withdrawn. The Board also granted a TDIU since September 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath received on April 16, 2003 is construed as a claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, which arose prior to that date. The effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants entitlement to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection for heart disability and hypertension. The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II and housebound SMC are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was granted a 60 percent rating effective April 11, 2012. The TDIU claim was also granted with an effective date of April 11, 2012.

The Veteran's scars of the head, face, or neck are rated at 30 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for painful scars is granted. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is service connected due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to be related to his service-connected exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also found that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure in service, contributed substantially and materially to his death. The appeal for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of heart disorder, back disorder, brain disorder (head injury residual), and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD).

The Board has decided that the case needs further development due to the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart condition is permanently worsened by his service-connected left lung nodule.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease is not warranted. The effective date was set as June 18, 2005, based on the first documented evidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and ischemic heart disease are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange during his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for GERD was denied as there is no evidence of persistent recurrent symptoms warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by premature whitening of the hair, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The heart disability claim was remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back or heart disability that is causally related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specified dates for left lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. His kidney disability and renal calculi are not presumptively linked to service.