Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and his nonservice-connected emphysema. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine the extent of his symptoms attributable to each condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and to provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected valvular heart disease with aortic insufficiency with recent stent placement does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as he did not file a formal or informal application prior to July 28, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his request for a hearing and indicated satisfaction with the grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, hypertension, heart disease, dyslexia, kidney disability, respiratory disability, and bilateral shoulder disability has been granted. He is also awarded special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's heart disability and cold injury residuals of the right foot are granted. The heart disability is reopened, but not yet decided on its merits. The cold injury residuals receive a maximum rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule VA examinations for his claimed acquired psychiatric disability, heart disability, and left knee disability. The Board will then review the case again based on the examination results.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 5, 2003, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease. The evidence did not show a formal or informal claim prior to that date.

The appellant is at least as likely as not in need of aid and attendance based on physical incapacity, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect the claimant from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. The Board finds that she needs regular aid and assistance due to medical conditions such as dizziness, imbalance, angina, fatigue, dyspnea, pain, numbness, and falls.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing due to issues related to service connection for various conditions including heart, liver, respiratory, and dental conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA examination. The Board will consider his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, skin conditions, and coronary artery disease, in determining whether they preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, which was listed as a contributing factor in his death, may be service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Additionally, an opinion is needed on whether the Veteran had ischemic heart disease or lung cancer that contributed to his respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

The Veteran's death was caused by atrial fibrillation, with hypertension as a secondary condition. The cause of death claim and VA burial benefits claim are both remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral eye disability, renal dysfunction, urinary incontinence, heart disability, fecal incontinence, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure while stationed at Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base.