Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent from April 23, 2009 to August 18, 2011 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 19, 2011 forward.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction are found to be the primary causes of his sleep apnea. The Board grants secondary service connection for sleep apnea and finds that medication for the Veteran's service-connected conditions cause his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted a compensable disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension, but denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and cardiomyopathy as secondary to hypertension, and lichen planus.

The Veteran's death was attributed to lung cancer, with coronary artery disease as a contributing cause. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions are not related to her military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral tender calluses are found to have started during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a nexus with service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50 percent effective May 23, 2017. His coronary artery disease with a history of myocardial infarction is currently rated at 100 percent due to his TDIU status.

The Veteran's claims for right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities were previously denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship with service.,Service connection for the heart disability was also denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve on a ship that was subject to the presumption of herbicide exposure, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on this presumption.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's heart condition and PTSD, including obtaining medical opinions on service connection and rating issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chemical burn residuals, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received. The low back disability, neck disability, arthritis of the legs, right hand arthritis, elbow disability, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, stomach problems, and sinus problems were denied due to lack of in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the Veteran's claims in light of his claimed sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with stent placement and bypass graft is rated at 60 percent effective August 5, 2011. His hypertension remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for migraine headaches was denied. The Veteran received a higher initial disability rating of 30% for his service-connected migraine headaches, but the claim for a TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected heart disease, and anxiety disorder from service contributed substantially to the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for his conditions. The evidence was not in equipoise on whether any current diagnoses were related to service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, cold injury, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The effective date for this decision is February 11, 2016.