Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 17, 2014, for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) with valvular heart disease is not supported by evidence showing entitlement existed before this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a heart condition or hypertension, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA and private medical records. The appeal is pending with respect to service connection claims for heart disability, clogged ears, and colon polyps.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service treatment records and seek an unbiased medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disease.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, is currently rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2016. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's transient cardiomyopathy with diastolic dysfunction and elevated left atrial filling pressure is most likely related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for a heart condition secondary to this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed heart disorders, including ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertension. The claims will be considered in light of presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, or acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease was received in April 2010. The effective date of the increased evaluation to 100 percent is set at April 29, 2010.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory disability, heart disability, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral lower extremity circulatory/vascular disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service and whether his COPD is related to asbestos exposure. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's initial 60% rating for coronary artery disease was reduced to 10%, effective December 1, 2012. The Veteran is now entitled to a 60% rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, including as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his CAD was initially rated at 30%, but since July 8, 2016, it has been rated at 60%. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been rated at 30% since August 31, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence now supports a higher rating of 60% from November 4, 2015.