Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and schizophrenia, as well as constipation, GERD, sleep apnea, and CAD. The rating assigned is 100% for the seizure disability from October 6, 2014 onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed heart disability, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information regarding his service-connected coronary artery disease, aid and attendance claim, and incompetency finding.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during his period of active service or within a year after separation. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) and granted it. The decision on varicose veins is pending as a separate issue.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease, and service connection claims for a left eye disability with 20/50 vision, amblyopia of the right eye, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation of his coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the increased rating claims are resolved.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence that any of his conditions were aggravated by service. The Board finds the VA examiner's opinion more probative than Dr. R.D.'s opinion regarding PTSD contributing to death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder (claimed as a heart attack), and hypertension were denied. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's valvular heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and right shoulder disability are related to his military service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been denied. Prior to June 15, 2016, the criteria for a higher rating have not been met. After June 15, 2016, the criteria for a 60 percent evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. His appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of April 30, 2015. Prior to that date, the evidence did not show he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's service treatment records and VA examination do not reflect any such condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer are granted as they are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was found to meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating prior to September 13, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an earlier effective date for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or entitlement prior to March 9, 2016.