Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been rated at 30 percent since May 7, 2009. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 50%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 2007 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted, and the earliest possible effective date is February 15, 2003.

The Veteran's heart disorder, cyst of the tongue, and lung nodule were not found to be related to his service or exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his current heart disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition did not have its onset during or in the year following service, nor was he exposed to an herbicide agent. Therefore, direct service connection is not warranted for his heart condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for Parkinson's disease is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, heart disability, and skin disorder. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, arranging for examinations, and ensuring all necessary information is considered in making a determination.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been caused by in-service exposure to herbicides, and the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease with angina are presumed to be related to his military service due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50% and his coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 30%. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total rating, increased rating for low back disability, and service connection for hypertension have been denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7005. The evidence does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, finding that the earliest evidence of its onset was on August 17, 2001.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from November 28, 2007, to October 27, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a right lower extremity disability and prostate cancer, but denied service connection for heart disability and bladder cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected ischemic heart disease did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 9, 2016 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's left flank hernia was caused by service-connected left kidney removal. The heart condition and gallbladder removal were not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted as the condition can be presumed due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's motion alleging CUE in the April 2010 rating decision awarding service connection for hypertensive heart disease and assigning a 30 percent rating concern how the evidence was weighed, but does not demonstrate that the correct facts were not before the adjudicator or that the statutory or regulatory provisions extant at the time were incorrectly applied.